Scientists say parallel lines may cause migraines

Experts warn architects static patterns could be bringing misery to millions of sufferers

From striped sofas to brutalist buildings, parallel lines found everywhere could be bringing misery to millions of headache sufferers, according to scientists.

While the link between flashing lights and certain forms of epilepsy is well known, some static patterns are now suspected of causing negative effects.

Researchers at the University Medical Centre (UMC) Utrecht in the Netherlands say a rise in a type of brain activity seen when such images are viewed indicates a possible cause of headaches.

Around one in five women and one in 15 men suffer from migraines in the UK, costing the economy an estimated 25 million working days per year.

The team behind the research said their findings could be taken into account by architects and designers in order to help those sensitive to migraines.

“Our findings imply that in designing buildings, it may be important to avoid the types of visual patterns that can activate this circuit and cause discomfort, migraines or seizures,” said Dora Hermes of the UMC

By attaching electrodes to the scalp scientists are able to measure the repetitive patterns of brain activity triggered when a person views certain images.

“Even perfectly healthy people may feel modest discomfort from the images that are most likely to trigger seizures in photosensitive epilepsy.”

The researchers say grating patterns produce strong “gamma oscillations”, while others like cloudscapes or natural scenes do not.

Ms Hermes said the UMC review, published in the journal Current Biology, has led to new research being planned in the area.

...it may be very important to avoid the types of visual patterns that can... cause discomfort, migraines or seizures