EXPERTS are carrying out a revolutionary study to determine if there is a link between migraines and the hole in the heart condition.

Researchers at the University of Manchester will be scanning migraine-sufferers to determine if they are more likely to suffer from hole in the heart. The idea there was a link between migraine and a hole in the heart was prompted after studies on people who had had their "hole" closed had also noticed an improvement in their migraine symptoms - some even vanished altogether.

The researcher team, which is made up of specialists in neurology, cardiology and epidemiology, will also assess whether people with migraine have an increased clotting tendency in their blood, or have a problem with the way the walls of their blood vessels function.

Alan Bartle, chief executive of the Migraine Trust, said: "We felt it was important to help fund some credible scientific research in this area.

"The research is non-invasive and should help provide some clearer answers and some guidance about future treatments for people with migraine."