Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Neurobiol Dis 2021 Jun 9:105424. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address:

Neuroinflammatory changes involving neuronal HMGB1 release and astrocytic NF-κB nuclear translocation occur following cortical spreading depolarization (CSD) in wildtype (WT) mice but it is unknown to what extent this occurs in the migraine brain. We therefore investigated in familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 (FHM1) knock-in mice, which express an intrinsic hyperexcitability phenotype, the extent of neuroinflammation without and after CSD. CSD was evoked in one hemisphere by pinprick (single CSD) or topical KCl application (multiple CSDs). Read More

Intern Emerg Med 2021 Jun 12. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Headache Center and Clinical Pharmacology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50139, Florence, Italy.

J Headache Pain 2021 Jun 11;22(1):56. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Department of Neurology, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hwaseong, South Korea.

Headache 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

UO Neurologia Salute Pubblica e Disabilità, Fondazione IRRCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy.

Objective: We compared the incremental effects of adding acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to pharmacological treatment as usual (TAU) in a sample of patients with high frequency episodic migraine without aura (HFEM), assessing impact on a spectrum of measures across multiple domains.

Background: Patients with HFEM are at risk of developing chronic migraine and medication overuse headache. ACT has been shown to be effective for the treatment of various chronic pain conditions, but little attention has been given to its therapeutic value in the management of recurring headaches. Read More

Headache 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Global Medical Affairs, Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D, Inc., West Chester, PA, USA.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of fremanezumab on the severity and duration of remaining migraine attacks in patients with chronic migraine (CM) or episodic migraine (EM).

Background: Fremanezumab is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody (IgGΔa) that selectively targets calcitonin gene-related peptide and is efficacious in reducing migraine frequency.

Methods: This exploratory post hoc analysis included data from three randomized, double-blind, 12-week, phase 3 studies (HALO CM, HALO EM, and FOCUS). Read More

J Headache Pain 2021 Jun 10;22(1):55. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.

Background: Neuroinflammation has an important role in the pathophysiology of migraine, which is a complex neuro-glio-vascular disorder. The main aim of this review is to highlight findings of cortical spreading depolarization (CSD)-induced neuroinflammatory signaling in brain parenchyma from the inflammasome perspective. In addition, we discuss the limited data of the contribution of inflammasomes to other aspects of migraine pathophysiology, foremost the activation of the trigeminovascular system and thereby the generation of migraine pain. Read More

Neurobiol Dis 2021 Jun 7:105419. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 35131 Padova, Italy. Electronic address:

Migraine is a common but poorly understood sensory circuit disorder. Mouse models of familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM, a rare monogenic form of migraine with aura) show increased susceptibility to cortical spreading depression (CSD, the phenomenon that underlies migraine aura and can activate migraine headache mechanisms), allowing an opportunity to investigate the mechanisms of CSD and migraine onset. In FHM type 2 (FHM2) knock-in mice with reduced expression of astrocytic Na, K-ATPases, the reduced rate of glutamate uptake into astrocytes can account for the facilitation of CSD initiation. Read More

PLoS One 2021 10;16(6):e0252766. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.

The P2X purinoceptor 7 (P2RX7) mediates inflammatory microglial responses and is implicated in neuroimmune mechanisms of depression and neurodegenerative disorders. A number of studies suggest that psychosocial stress may precipitate depression through immune activation. Genetic association studies of P2RX7 variants with depression have been inconclusive. Read More

Neuromodulation 2021 Jun 10. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

The Headache Service, Pain Management and Neuromodulation Centre Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.

Background: Refractory chronic migraine (rCM) is a highly disabling condition for which novel safe and effective treatments are needed. Safety and long-term efficacy of paresthesia-free high cervical 10 kHz spinal cord stimulation (SCS) were here prospectively evaluated for the treatment of rCM.

Materials And Methods: Twenty adults with rCM (mean numbers of preventive treatments failed: 12. Read More

J Neurol 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Health Sciences, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey.

Background: Vestibular migraine (VM) is one of the most common causes of vertigo in clinical practice but it is not always easy to make the correct diagnosis. Our aims were to find out how VM patients differ from migraine only (MO) patients, to evaluate co-morbid depression in these two groups and to determine if their disease has an effect on their quality of life.

Methods: We studied 50 definite VM and 35 MO patients. Read More

Pain 2021 May 31. Epub 2021 May 31.

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Biomolecular Science, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612 Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA Department of Neurology & Rehabilitation, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612 Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607.

Abstract: Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders characterized by recurrent attacks of typically throbbing and unilateral headaches, affecting up to 20 % of the population worldwide. Despite the high prevalence and severity of this primary headache disorder, it remains to be a challenge to fully understand and treat migraine headaches. By characterizing and validating a mouse migraine model, this study aimed to investigate the functional contribution of PKC isoforms in migraine. Read More

Praxis (Bern 1994) 2021 Jun;110(8):469-470

Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsspital Zürich und Universität Zürich.

CME/Answers: New-Onset Headache in Adults: Evidence-Based Assessment in the Primary Care Setting Many people suffer from headaches. Primary (idiopathic) headaches such as migraine and tension type headaches are most common. They may significantly affect occupational and social aspects of daily life, but are usually not dangerous. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021 Jun 9;6:CD013697. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA.

Background: Posterior blepharitis is common and causes ocular surface and lid damage as well as discomfort. It affects 37% to 47% of all ophthalmology patients; its incidence increasing with age. It is a multifactorial disease associated with multiple other pathologies, such as rosacea, meibomianitis, and infections. Read More

Headache 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Neurology, Federal University of Delta of Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Brazil.

Headache 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Neurology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Objective: To assess the validity and reliability of the self-administered Visual Aura Rating Scale (VARS) questionnaire using a hospital-based sample in a cross-sectional setting.

Background: Visual aura is the most common type of aura manifesting in 98%-99% of migraine with aura (MA). The VARS is a diagnostic rating scale used to quantify the cardinal characteristics of MA and has shown high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of visual aura. Read More

Pain Ther 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (DAMS), Headache Center, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138, Naples, Italy.

Introduction: Migraine shows a significantly higher prevalence in women, especially during reproductive age when menstrual-related hormonal fluctuations represent the most common migraine trigger. Indeed, over 50% of patients report a higher occurrence of migraine attacks during the perimenstrual window. Menstrual migraine attacks are consistently referred to as more disabling, less responsive to symptomatic treatments, longer in duration, and more prone to relapse than non-menstrual migraine attacks. Read More

Neurol Sci 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Postgraduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Rua General Joaquim Inacio, 830, Sala 1412 - Edf The Plaza Business Center, Recife, CEP: 50070-495, Pernambuco, Brazil.

Objective: There is controversy about whether there is an association between headache and internet addiction. Therefore, the objective was to assess whether there is an association between the headache, insomnia, and internet addiction.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with 420 university students. Read More

Int J Clin Pract 2021 Jun 9:e14455. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Aim: Migraine is a common neurovascular disorder, which is associated with severe to moderate disabling headaches. Oxidative stress and inflammation might play a role in migraine pathogenesis and the mood disorders. Considering the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), this study was designed to investigate its effect on oxidative, inflammatory and mood conditions in women with episodic migraine. Read More

Pain Manag 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of First Neurology, Aeginition Hospital, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11528, Greece.

Fremanezumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody (IgG2Δa) that selectively targets calcitonin gene-related peptide and is approved in Europe for migraine prevention in adults with ≥4 migraine days/month. The Pan-European Real Life (PEARL) study is a 24-month, prospective, observational study of fremanezumab in chronic or episodic migraine. End points include proportion of patients with ≥50% reduction in monthly migraine days during 6 months of treatment (primary); changes in monthly migraine days, disability scores and acute headache medication use; adherence and persistence; and effectiveness in patients switching from another calcitonin gene-related peptide pathway-targeting monoclonal antibody. Read More

Headache 2021 May;61(5):777-789

Neuroscience Programs, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

Background: Headaches are a common symptom in children. Children with refractory headaches may be admitted for inpatient treatment with intravenous dihydroergotamine mesylate (DHE). However, very few studies have characterized these patients and their treatment outcomes using validated, self-reported, pain scales. Read More

Headache 2021 May;61(5):697

Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Headache 2021 May;61(5):700-714

Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.

Background: Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug whose mechanism of action in certain types of headache disorders remains unknown. The so-called indomethacin-responsive headache disorders consist of a group of conditions with a very different presentation that have a particularly good response to indomethacin. The response is so distinct as to be used in the definition of two: hemicrania continua and paroxysmal hemicrania. Read More

Turk Arch Pediatr 2021 6;56(3):249-253. Epub 2021 Jan 6.

Depatment of Pediatric Neurology, Ordu University Faculty of Medicine, Ordu, Turkey.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the features and differential diagnosis of childhood dizziness and find out the prevalence of neurological diseases in children who were referred to the pediatric neurology outpatient clinic. A secondary aim was to evaluate the outcome of dizziness after 12 months.

Material And Methods: The records of children with a complaint of dizziness that were referred to the pediatric neurology outpatient clinic were retrospectively reviewed, and detailed medical and family history, clinical characteristics, laboratory investigations including vitamin B12 levels, and neuroimaging tests were analyzed. Read More

J Pain Res 2021 1;14:1533-1542. Epub 2021 Jun 1.

Alan Edwards Centre for Pain Research, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred a hasty transition to virtual care but also an abundance of new literature highlighting telehealth's capabilities and limitations for various healthcare applications. In this review, we aim to narrate the current state of the literature on telehealth applied to migraine care. First, telemedicine in the context of non-acute headache management has been shown to produce non-inferior patient outcomes when compared to traditional face-to-face appointments. Read More

Georgian Med News 2021 Apr(313):60-65

1State Institution, Dnipropetrovsk Medical Academy, Ministry of Healthcare of Ukraine, Nervous Diseases and Neurosurgery Department, Postgraduate Education Faculty; Ukraine.

Headache after craniocerebral injury is an urgent problem due to its frequent occurrence, tendency towards chronization, and strong patient disadaptation effect. Despite the significant incidence of post-traumatic headache (the PTHA) and related socioeconomic factors, many fundamental aspects of this problem have not been considered adequately. Therefore, the aim of our review is to highlight key points regarding the pathogenetic mechanisms of development, key clinical features, and strategies for optimal management of PTHA. Read More

Am J Med 2021 Jun 5. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

Department of Neurology, US Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan.

J Headache Pain 2021 Jun 7;22(1):53. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Department of Neurology, Dokkyo Medical University, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Shimotsuga, 321-0293, Tochigi, Japan.

Objectives: To assess the impacts of social situation changes due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on headache-related disability and other symptoms in patients with migraine in Japan.

Methods: We conducted a multicentre, cross-sectional study including 659 outpatients with migraine diagnosed by headache specialists. The participants were asked about the impacts of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on headache-related disability, headache days, headache intensity, stress, physical activity, hospital access and their work and home lives. Read More

Front Neurol 2021 21;12:658697. Epub 2021 May 21.

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Depression and anxiety are common among patients with migraine and usually associated with a humanistic and financial burden. This study aims to examine the direct healthcare expenditures among adults with migraine alone or with comorbid anxiety and/or depression. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study using 2012, 2014, and 2016 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data. Read More

Front Pharmacol 2021 19;12:671845. Epub 2021 May 19.

The Third Hospital/Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies (CGRPmAbs) are new agents approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for preventive treatment of chronic migraine. Comparison between CGRPmAbs and previously approved Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) will inform optimal preventive treatment of chronic migraine, but head-to-head trials are lacking. We therefore aimed to perform adjusted indirect comparison between CGRPmAbs and BoNT-A through a meta-analysis. Read More

Front Neurosci 2021 20;15:674852. Epub 2021 May 20.

Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.

Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by attacks of moderate or severe headache and various neurological symptoms. Migraine is typically treated by pharmacological or non-pharmacological therapies to relieve pain or prevent migraine attacks. Pharmacological therapies show limited efficacy in relieving headache and are often accompanied by adverse effects, while the benefits of acupuncture, a non-pharmacological therapy, have been well-documented in both the treatment and prevention of acute migraine attacks. Read More