migraine

Being overweight and underweight can increase migraines

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Research has shown that being both overweight and underweight are associated with an increased risk for migraine. The researchers looked at all available studies on body mass index (BMI) and migraine (a meta-analysis). The researchers feel that more research is needed to determine whether certain people could lose or gain weight to lower their migraine risk. A total of twelve studies with 288,981 participants were included in the meta-analysis. When the researchers compiled all of the results and adjusted for both age and sex, they found that obese people were 27% more likely to have migraine than people of normal weight and underweight people were 13% more likely to have migraine than people of normal weight. In the study, obesity was defined as a BMI of 30 or higher and underweight was defined as a BMI of less than 18.5. The … Read more

Fremanezumab Phase III Migraine Trial

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Fremanezumab is a drug being developed by Teva Pharmaceuticals for the prevention of migraine. Fremanezumab is a monocolonal antibody and a biological agent that binds to and blocks the action of a migraine-associated protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).  Results of the phase III clinical trial were published in Nov., 2017, in the New England Journal of Medicine. This study showed that fremanezumab was found successful in reducing the number of days that chronic migraine sufferers experienced headaches. It is estimated that between 127 and 300 million people in the entire world experience chronic migraine, with 15 or more headaches per month for at least three months. Those who experience such intense and chronic migraines have a tough time finding effective relief. As such fremanezumab has been developed to hopefully help those who suffer and do not have any current medication that is effective. … Read more

Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) Block for Headache Relief

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Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) block has been shown to help provide migraine headache relief for both children and adults. A small flexible catheter is inserted into each nostril and a local anesthetic is administered to the SPG, a nerve bundle thought to be associated with migraines, located at the back of the nose.  The anesthetic briefly disables the SPG and can disrupt and reset the headache circuit, which can break a cycle of severe migraines. A SPG block takes almost immediate effect with relief potentially lasting for many months. The SPG blocks have been performed in children. A child qualifies for the treatment if he/she has been diagnosed with a severe migraine and that migraine has not responded favorably to first-line medications and treatments. This form of treatment can be performed in an outpatient setting by an interventional radiologist. It can … Read more

Exploring the Prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Adults with Migraine

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Researchers at the University of Toronto have shown that generalized anxiety disorder is more common among adults who have migraines than those without migraine (6% vs. 2%). The link between migraine and generalized anxiety disorders was partially explained by the high prevalence of debilitating chronic pain (30%) and problems in managing household responsibilities (28%) among those with migraine. The researchers were not surprised chronic pain played a role in the association between migraines and generalized anxiety disorders. The unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of migraine pain can be anxiety producing as it can interfere with family and work responsibilities without warning. The study found men with migraine had almost double the odds of generalized anxiety disorder compared with women with migraine. The researchers found this result to be surprising because in the general population, women are more likely than men to develop … Read more

Migraine treament with monoclonal antibodies

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Migraine headaches affect around 6 to 8% of males and 10 to 12% of females. It is one of the top five neurological conditions and costs people healthy lives. There is little research on how the current preventative treatments for migraine work. Researchers have speculated that the suppression of cortical spreading depression could be a process at play. Typically migraine patients are given beta-blockers such as propranolol and metroprolol, anticonvulsants valproate and topiramate, and the calcium channel bocker flunarizine as first line medications. These drugs have been shown in randomized placebo controlled studies to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. A new treatment option could be placed in monoclonal antibodies that target a neuropeptide called CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide). CGRP plays is thought to play a key role in headaches. CGRP receptor antagonists have been developed for the treatment of acute … Read more