2017: A breakthrough year for migraine?
The last year has been one of enormous promise for the prevention and treatment of migraine disease. Vigorous clinical trials of CGRP antibodies being aggressively pursued by Big Pharma, groundbreaking genetics research, and new developments in the area of neuromodulation have all led a renowned migraine expert, Dr. David Dodick, Chair of the American Migraine Foundation, to declare “2017 will be
Childhood Migraine Disorders Revisited
There are several reasons we are re-visiting this subject, the focus of a newsletter 8 months ago. First, recent tweets on this subject have shown an enormous interest in this oft misunderstood area of the migraine spectrum. Second, a recent study on medications for childhood migraine called into question their efficacy. Specifically, placebo was shown to be as effective as
Advances in Non-Drug Therapies for Migraine
If you follow our Twitter postings with any degree of regularity you may recognize many of the devices/procedures summarized here. It was the recent release of the Cefaly II device that caused me to think that our followers deserved an up-to-date look at the devices available, especially if one was looking to add it to their treatment regimen. Migraine treatment
A Prospective Randomized Cross-over Trial of Nortiptyline and Topiramate
Full Project Title: A Prospective Randomized Cross-over Trial of Nortiptyline and Topiramatenin the initial Treatment of Vestibular Migraine Principal Investigator: Anthony Mikulec MD, MPH Professor, Chief, Otology and Nuerotology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine Update: Despite the high number of migraine patients in our clinics, it continues to be more challenging than anticipated to identify patients who have not previously
Taking Stock
As an ardent follower of the recent advances in the understanding and treatment of migraine disorders I am impressed with the great strides made over the last 24 months. It is remarkable that since the 1990s and the introduction of triptans, so much significant work in both prevention and treatment is now coming to fruition. So why now? What forces
Traumatic Brain Injuries and Migraines
Traumatic Brain Injury and Migraines: Civilian and Military Implications Consideration of this subject brings us to the intersection of some of the most critical issues challenging the migraine treatment community. With Memorial Day fading in the rear view mirror, we at AMD began to reflect on a number of these issues and thought looking at Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) may
Migraine: Myth versus Reality
“There is no condition of such magnitude that is as shrouded in myth, misinformation, and mistreatment as is this condition [Migraine], and there are few conditions which are as disabling during the acute attack.” -Dr. Joel R. Saper, M.D., F.A.C.P., Director, Michigan Head-Pain & Neurological Institute A young science such as the one attempting to rid the world of migraine
Genetics: The Holy Grail of Migraine Research
In the end, it may be applied funding in genetics that discovers the cure or prevention that will end migraine disease. I would submit to you the “cure” or “grail” in the search for the ultimate root cause for this affliction may well be found in genetics. Our Excalibur is the science of genetics applied to migraine disease. With the
Dr. Godley Answers Five Questions in Providence Business News
1. What is a migraine, and how can you know you’re having one? A traditional migraine headache is an intense, throbbing pain that most people associate with the top of their heads. Those who suffer from migraines, also known as migraineurs, know a headache is coming on when they experience distortions of their vision or when their headache is accompanied by
2014 AAO-HNSF Conference
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery held its 2014 Conference in Orlando, FLA, last week and the Association of Migraine Disorders was an active participant on many levels. We manned a very busy booth for 3 days and interacted with literally hundreds of physicians, many of whom requested more information on AMD’s perspective on the spectrum of migraine
A Pharmaceutical Industry Update
This month, just prior to June Migraine Awareness Month, AMD is providing a comprehensive update on the FDA’s news and approvals of migraine medications. We think this is useful as it gives you a longitudinal look at the most current developments in migraine research including approvals, drugs in clinical trials, and recent industry news which could impact treatment options down
Migraine Caregiver Stress
How is it possible that such a devastating illness in all its expressions could not have far-reaching, negative effects in all relationship areas of a migraineurs life? It’s not, of course. Only recently have we begun to see research that looks at subjects like family burden and the disruption chronic migraine causes in the lives of sufferers. Very few of
Brown University Brain Fair
On March 19, 2016, The Association of Migraine Disorders participated in the Inaugural Brown “Brain Fair” held at Brown University at Sayles Hall. The turnout was excellent as scores of interested Fair-goers explored numerous interesting exhibits pertaining to brain science, many of which were interactive, and showcased the growing RI neuroscience community. The AMD exhibit garnered even more attention than
The Role of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Migraine
Principal investigator: Maggie Waung, MD University of California, San Francisco Update: The main hypothesis of this project is that the metabotropic glutamate receptors are involved in trigeminovascular pain processing. This study is running under budget but, due to change in animal model, it has been extended for an additional year (2017).
A Migraine Relief Diet
Foreword for The Migraine Relief Diet is written by Frederick Godley, III, MD, FACS, President of the Association of Migraine Disorders and Michael Teixido, MD, Vice President of the Association of Migraine Disorders (excerpted from “The Migraine Relief Diet” by Tara Spencer, (c) Callisto Media/Althea Press), available here at Amazon.com in both softcover and kindle editions) Many people aren’t aware of how common
Headache on the Hill (HOH) 2016
This is an annual event, organized by the nonprofit Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (AHDA), to advocate on behalf of Americans with disabling headache disorders. This is primarily a grassroots advocacy for increased funding of headache research. Its founder and thought-leader is Robert E. Shapiro, MD, PhD and its president is William B. Young, MD. AHDA is supported by a confederation
Annual AMD Scientific and Educational Board Meeting
Our first annual scientific and educational advisory board meeting, on October 23rd, was full of invigorating discussion and a wealth of great ideas. It underscores how essential the word “collaborate” is within the goals of our Mission. I am very grateful, for every member shared their time and expertise with a generosity of spirit in the common goal: assisting patients
AAO-HNSF OTO-Expo 2015
American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Dallas, Texas September 26-30, 2015 This is an international meeting of otolaryngologists with a choice of major guest lecturers, instructional courses, miniseminars, oral presentations, committee meetings, posters and a large expo. 15,000 participants. Relevance to AMD: opportunity to have a booth in the expo to distribute information about migraine disorders in
The 9th Annual Pain & Migraine Therapeutics Summit
Washington, DC September 23-24, 2015 This is a two-day conference with presentations of the latest research and pharmaceutical findings regarding pain management and migraine disease. Participants: 80 and include representatives from CRO’s (Clinical Research Organizations), pharmaceutical companies and basic researchers – no clinicians Range of topics New animal and human study models New clinical measurements of pain New directions in
Objectively measured physical activity in obese women with and without migraine
Principal Investigator: Dr. Dale Bond Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, The Miriam Hospital/Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, USA Clinical Trial: to cross-sectionally compare objectively measured physical activity (PA) levels and their association with migraine characteristics in obese women with and without migraine. CONCLUSIONS: Obese women with migraine spent nearly 1.5 hours/day less
A New Treatment Development – The Sphenoplatine Ganglion Block
Dolor Technologies has developed for the U.S. its patented, advanced drug delivery catheter, SphenoCath™. SphenoCath is a single-use, disposable catheter that delivers lidocaine via the nasal passages to a hard-to-reach ganglion (SPG) located at the back of the nose without use of painful needles, sprays, swabs or sedation, which is a real advantage. When used as prescribed, SpenoCath saturates and prolongs the medication
