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BMJ Open 2022 Jun 24;12(6):e061287. Epub 2022 Jun 24.

School of Second Clinical Medicine/The Second Affiliated Hospital, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, China

Introduction: Migraine is a common neurological disorder with a higher prevalence occurring in women. Migraine without aura (MwoA) is the most common type of migraine. In recent years, the safety and effectiveness of acupuncture for migraines have been internationally recognised. Read More

Headache 2022 Jun 24. Epub 2022 Jun 24.

Tel-Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of concurrent non-invasive stimulation of occipital and trigeminal nerves in acute treatment of migraine with or without aura.

Background: Non-invasive neuromodulation devices stimulating a single peripheral nerve or anatomic distribution are routinely used by patients with migraine refractory to the first-line drugs or those who opt out of pharmaceutical treatment. Concurrent occipital and trigeminal stimulation was described in an invasive setting, and its safety cost outweighed its efficacy gain. Read More

Expert Opin Drug Saf 2022 Jun 24:1-9. Epub 2022 Jun 24.

Headache Center, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, Japan.

Background: Some migraine treatments are contraindicated for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or risk factors (CVRFs). We report safety and efficacy of lasmiditan, a new oral acute migraine treatment with no cardiovascular contraindication, in Japanese patients with CVRFs.

Research Design And Methods: MONONOFU was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 study of Japanese patients with migraine (met International Headache Society criteria, Migraine Disability Assessment score ≥11, disabling migraine for ≥1 year). Read More

Neurol Int 2022 May 31;14(2):488-496. Epub 2022 May 31.

Neurology Department, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10017, USA.

(1) Background: Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) encompasses a clinical and radiological diagnosis characterized by recurrent thunderclap headache, with or without focal deficits due to multifocal arterial vasoconstriction and dilation. RCVS can be correlated to pregnancy and exposure to certain drugs. Currently, the data on prevalence of RCVS in the postpartum period is lacking. Read More

Expert Opin Drug Saf 2022 Jun 23. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Eli Lilly Japan K.K., 5-1-28 Isogamidori, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.

Background: MONONOFU, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 study of Japanese patients with migraine, was pivotal for lasmiditan approval in Japan. However, treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were more common than in global studies. A detailed safety profile would assist patient management. Read More

Brain 2022 Jun 23. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

Migraine is a highly common and debilitating disorder that often affects individuals in their most productive years of life. Previous studies have identified both genetic variants and brain morphometry differences associated with migraine risk. However, the relationship between migraine and brain morphometry has not been examined on a genetic level, and the causal nature of the association between brain structure and migraine risk has not been determined. Read More

Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2022 Jun 27;78:103862. Epub 2022 May 27.

Department of Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Mindfulness-based stress reduction/cognitive therapy has attained popularity as an adjunctive treatment for a plethora of medical and psychiatric conditions, however, its impact on chronic headaches is inconclusive. This review aims to assess the impact of MBSR/MBCT in alleviating the symptoms of chronic headaches.

Data Sources And Data Selection: PubMed and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched from inception till 1st May 2021. Read More

J Child Neurol 2022 Jun 22:8830738221092882. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Pediatric Department, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

There is still a need for more studies to evaluate the role of vitamin D in pediatric migraine prophylaxis. We aimed to evaluate the effects and safety of vitamin D supplementation to topiramate on pediatric migraine. A double-blinded prospective clinical trial was conducted on 5- to 14-year-old children with migraine. Read More

BMC Neurol 2022 Jun 22;22(1):230. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Department of Psychology, Khomainishahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khomainishahr, Isfahan, Iran.

Introduction: Psychological interventions are shown to be effective in migraine, but not utilized routinely yet. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (TCBT) on people with migraine (PwM).

Method: This study was conducted on 40 PwM aged 20-50 years. Read More

J Headache Pain 2022 Jun 23;23(1):70. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Medical Affairs, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 463-10 Kagasuno, Kawauchi-cho, Tokushima, 771-0192, Japan.

Background: Migraine is a chronic disease characterized by episodic headache attacks. No recent studies have, however been conducted on the epidemiology of migraine or the treatment landscape in Japan. This study was conducted as a fact-finding survey using medical claims data and an online survey on migraine and headaches, conducted among members of health insurance associations with the objective of gaining an understanding of migraine prevalence and the treatment status in Japan. Read More

Sci Rep 2022 Jun 22;12(1):10512. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.

To assess association between migraines and development of ocular motor cranial nerve palsy (CNP) and finding risk factors using the National Sample Cohort database from the Korea National Health Insurance Service. Data was analyzed from 4,234,341 medical screening examinees aged 20-90 years in 2009. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for ocular motor CNP according to presence of migraine. Read More

BMC Neurol 2022 Jun 21;22(1):227. Epub 2022 Jun 21.

Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezar Jarib Street, Isfahan, 73461-81746, Iran.

Objectives: Ischemic stroke is the most common presentation of cervical artery dissection (CAD). Information regarding CAD-induced stroke is scarce, especially in the Middle East. Here we investigated the incidence of CAD-induced stroke, its characteristics, and the clinical course in central Iran. Read More

Acad Emerg Med 2022 Jun 21. Epub 2022 Jun 21.

University of Washington, Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, & Seattle Children's Research Institute, Center for Child Health, Behavior & Development, Seattle, WA, USA.

There are disparities in pain management for children presenting to the emergency department (ED) according to their racial and ethnic backgrounds. It is not known if there are differences in the treatment of pain associated with pediatric migraines by race, ethnicity, and language for care (REaL). We analyzed treatment patterns and outcomes in our ED for acute migraine in pediatric patients by REaL. Read More

Acta Neurol Scand 2022 Jun 21. Epub 2022 Jun 21.

Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencia, Efectividad Clínica y Salud Pública, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru.

Introduction: Greater occipital nerve block (GONB) is a minimally invasive procedure frequently used in patients with chronic migraine (CM); however, the quality of the evidence supporting its use is still unknown. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review, meta-analysis and quality assessment of GONB local anaesthetics combined or not with corticosteroids to prevent CM.

Methods: We searched Medline, Scopus and Web of Science up to October 2020. Read More

Eur J Neurol 2022 Jun 20. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

Headache Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa & Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa, Madrid, Spain.

Background: To date, several variables have been associated with anti-CGRP receptor or ligand-antibody response with disparate results. Our objective is to determine whether machine learning (ML)-based models can predict 6, 9 and 12 months response to anti-CGRP receptor or ligand therapies among migraine patients.

Methods: We performed a multicenter analysis of a prospectively collected data cohort of patients with migraine receiving anti-CGRP therapies. Read More

Neurol Sci 2022 Jun 20. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

Background: Anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies have represented a real revolution in the field of headaches, being the result of an extraordinary process of translation of new pathophysiological discoveries into successful therapies. Nonetheless, clinical practice is far more complex than pivotal trials setting, and real-world studies are blooming to deepen knowledge of these revolutionary medications.

Objective: To provide an updated guide for evidence-based clinical practice. Read More

BMC Surg 2022 Jun 17;22(1):232. Epub 2022 Jun 17.

Institute for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University, 747 N. Rutledge St, Springfield, IL, 62702, USA.

Background: The traditional approach for occipital migraine surgery encompasses three separate surgical incisions in the posterior neck to decompress the greater occipital nerves (GON), lesser occipital nerves (LON), and third occipital nerves (TON). Other incisions have been investigated, including singular transverse incisions. We sought to evaluate a single, vertical midline incision approach for decompression of all six occipital nerves. Read More

Prog Neurobiol 2022 Jun 17:102310. Epub 2022 Jun 17.

Department of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Movement System Injury and Repair Research Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China. Electronic address:

The etiology of epilepsy remains undefined in two-thirds of patients. Here, we identified a de novo variant of ATP1A2 (c.2426T>G, p. Read More

J Hist Neurosci 2022 Jun 20:1-10. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

University of Queensland Department of Medicine, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, Australia.

Edward Henry Sieveking (1816-1904) was a professionally successful and well respected nineteenth-century London physician who, over the span of some half a century, continuously held appointment to British royalty, including Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. In 1858, he published a monograph , with a second edition in 1861. In both editions, he described an entity e that comprised the occurrence of headache in association with phenomena that resembled the premonitory symptom of some epileptic seizures. Read More

Clin Genet 2022 Jun 20. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.

Pathogenic variants in the CACNA1A gene have been associated with episodic ataxia type 2, familial hemiplegic migraine, and spinocerebellar ataxia 6. With increasing use of clinical genetic testing, associations have expanded to include developmental delay, epilepsy, paroxysmal dystonia, and neuropsychiatric disorders. We report 47 individuals with 33 unique likely pathogenic or pathogenic CACNA1A variants. Read More

Neurobiol Pain 2022 Aug-Dec;12:100094. Epub 2022 Jun 9.

Faculty of Medicine, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, 10520, Thailand.

Chronic migraine is one of the most devastating headache disorders. The estimated prevalence is 1.4-2. Read More

Paediatr Neonatal Pain 2022 Jun 7;4(2):78-86. Epub 2022 May 7.

Twins Research Australia, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics School of Population and Global Health University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria Australia.

Background: Commonly applied diagnostic criteria for growing pains (GP) have evolved without determination by an authoritative representative body. GP and restless legs syndrome (RLS) share anatomical, distributional, temporal, and other clinical features and are associated in individuals over time, in families, and in population samples. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that GP, diagnosed by widely used criteria, is confounded by cases of painful restless legs syndrome (RLS-Painful). Read More

Neuropharmacology 2022 Jun 16:109166. Epub 2022 Jun 16.

Yale School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, PO Box 208018, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Headache Center of Excellence, Neurology Service, MS 127, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA. Electronic address:

The effects of psychedelic drugs in headache and chronic pain disorders have been reported for several decades, and now controlled studies are emerging. The existing evidence supports a lasting therapeutic benefit after limited dosing, a unique feature of the drug class that distinguishes it from conventional treatment. This commentary summarizes these reports of preventive effects of psychedelic drugs in headache and chronic pain disorders. Read More

Lancet Neurol 2022 Jul;21(7):597-607

H Lundbeck, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Background: The monoclonal antibody eptinezumab, which targets calcitonin gene-related peptide, has shown migraine preventive effects starting the day following infusion and acceptable safety and tolerability in phase 3 trials, but benefits in the subpopulations of patients with previous preventive treatment failures were not examined. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of eptinezumab for migraine prevention in adults with migraine and two-to-four previous preventive treatment failures.

Methods: DELIVER was a multicentre, multi-arm, phase 3b trial comprising a 24-week double-blind, placebo-controlled period and a 48-week dose-blinded extension. Read More

Lancet Neurol 2022 Jul;21(7):578-579

Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy. Electronic address:

Curr Pain Headache Rep 2022 Jun 18. Epub 2022 Jun 18.

University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33132, USA.

Purpose Of Review: The goal of this article is to describe migraine advocacy as an essential means to advance the field of headache medicine. Special attention is spent outlining advocacy initiatives and priorities.

Recent Findings: There is little written about "migraine advocacy" in the literature. Read More

Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2022 Jun 18. Epub 2022 Jun 18.

Department of Neurology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de Mexico, México.

Background And Aim: Headaches related to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) could affect performance at work in healthcare personnel. Our aim was to describe the prevalence and risk factors for headaches related to PPE, in the personnel of a specialized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tertiary hospital.

Methods: In this cross-sectional survey study, we invited healthcare workers from COVID-19 referral center in Mexico (May 22-June 19, 2020) to answer a standardized structure questionnaire on characteristics of new-onset PPE-related headache or exacerbation of primary headache disorder. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2022 Jun 17;101(24):e29361. Epub 2022 Jun 17.

Department of Encephalopathy, Traditional Chinese Hospital, Banan District, Chongqing, China.

Abstract: Menstrual migraine (MM) has a longer duration and higher drug resistance than non-perimenstrual migraine. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and CGRP receptors are expressed in the peripheral and central nervous systems throughout the trigeminovascular system. The CGRP/CGRP receptor axis plays an important role in sensory physiology and pharmacology. Read More

Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 2022 Jun;42(6):603-7

Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Physiotherapy, Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, Shanxi Province, China.

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture at sphenopalatine ganglion combined with conventional acupuncture for episodic cluster headache (CH).

Methods: One hundred and eighty patients with episodic CH were randomly divided into a combined group (60 cases, 3 cases dropped off)，an acupuncture group (60 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a sphenopalatine ganglion group (60 cases, 2 cases dropped off and 1 case was removed). The patients in the acupuncture group were treated with conventional acupuncture at Touwei (ST 8), Yintang (GV 24), Yangbai (GB 14), Hegu (LI 4), etc. Read More

Brain Imaging Behav 2022 Jun 16. Epub 2022 Jun 16.

Department of Neuroscience and Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), University of Padova, Padua, Italy.

The pathophysiology of migraine as a headache disorder is still undetermined. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has significantly improved our knowledge about brain microstructure in this disease. Here, we aimed to systematically review DTI studies in migraine and survey the sources of heterogeneity by investigating diffusion parameter changes associated with clinical characteristics and migraine subtypes. Read More