Articles tagged with Migraines
A new study from the University of Toronto found that 63% of Canadians with migraines experience almost daily happiness and high levels of social and psychological well-being. Those who had a confidant or used spiritual coping mechanisms were more likely to be in excellent mental health.
A new twin study reveals that certain genes are similarly affected in PTSD and migraine, suggesting they may share some risk factors. The study found common epigenetic changes between the two conditions, which could lead to new treatment targets.
A new study has found that pregnant women with migraines are at a higher risk of obstetric and postnatal complications. Migraine pregnant women had increased risks of gestational diagnosis of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and blood clots.
Research reveals a strong link between hyperhomocysteinemia and migraine with aura in rats, showing elevated HCY levels increase susceptibility to cortical spreading depression. The study suggests timely correction of high homocysteine levels may be beneficial for treating migraine-related symptoms.
Researchers used genetic methods to examine 12 coagulation measures, uncovering four factors associated with migraine susceptibility in individuals with aura. The study suggests a potential causal role of hemostatic factors in migraines with aura.
Researchers found that decreased neuronal complexity may be a feature of chronic migraine and propose restoring this complexity as a treatment. HDAC6 inhibition restored cytoskeletal flexibility and relieved migraine-associated pain.
A study found that women with a history of migraine before menopause are at a 29% higher risk of developing high blood pressure after menopause. This association was observed even among those without aura and could be linked to early signs of arterial stiffness.
Michael A. Moskowitz, a leading migraine researcher supported by the NIH, has won The Brain Prize 2021 for his groundbreaking contributions to understanding migraine triggers. By blocking the action of released neuropeptides, Moskowitz proposes a new approach to treating this debilitating condition.
Research suggests that using cannabis for migraine relief may lead to medication overuse headache in patients with chronic migraine. The study found that individuals using cannabis had a significantly higher risk of developing medication overuse headache compared to those who did not use cannabis.
People with chronic migraine are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and sleep problems if they don't get enough exercise. Researchers found that a minimum of two-and-a-half hours of moderate to vigorous exercise per week can reduce migraine triggers.
Researchers found amoxicillin-clavulanate as effective as metronidazole-with-fluoroquinolone in preventing diverticulitis-related admissions. The treatment reduced the risk of fluoroquinolone-related harms, including Clostridioides difficile infection.
Researchers discovered massive glutamate surges in brain, sparking spreading depolarizations, a precursor to migraine with aura. The study suggests an imbalance between glutamate release and reuptake may contribute to neurologic diseases, including stroke.
A recent clinical trial found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) reduced migraine frequency and severity in adults with a history of migraine. MBSR improved quality of life, depression scores, and measures of emotional well-being compared to headache education.
A study led by UCSF researchers found that teens with migraines who started school after 8:30 a.m. experienced an average of 4.8 headache days per month, compared to 7.7 days for those who started earlier. The difference remained significant even when adjusting for risk factors.
A survey-based study examines the association between sexual orientation and migraine prevalence. The findings suggest that LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to experience migraines than their heterosexual counterparts.
Researchers found that patients with typical patterns on pain sketches had better outcomes after migraine surgery, while those with atypical patterns saw less improvement. The study highlights the potential value of pain drawings as a tool to select candidates for surgery.
A new study in mice suggests that a molecular transporter, GLT-1, may play a crucial role in determining susceptibility to migraines. The researchers found that mice lacking the GLT-1 transporter were more prone to cortical spreading depression, a condition related to migraines, and had increased levels of glutamate outside of neurons.
A study of 607 women with severe migraines found 20% avoid pregnancy due to perceived risks, despite evidence that migraine improves in up to 75% during pregnancy. Women with menstrual-related attacks are more likely to delay family planning.
Researchers found genetic markers protecting against migraines' chronification, enabling personalized prevention therapies for at-risk individuals. The study identified polymorphisms in the pain receptor TRPV1, which may help detect those prone to chronic migraine.
Researchers found that green light exposure reduced headache days per month by an average of about 60%, with most participants experiencing a more than 50% reduction. The study also improved patients' quality of life, including sleep and work abilities, with no reported side effects.
AJOVY (fremanezumab) demonstrates clinically significant reductions in headache and migraine-related disability in the majority of patients studied. The treatment achieves downward shifts in disability severity and improves HIT-6 and MIDAS scores, particularly for patients with difficult-to-treat migraine.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism implicated in familial hemiplegic migraine type 2, a debilitating condition affecting the central nervous system. The study found that genetic mutations cause malfunction of astrocytes in the cingulate cortex, leading to increased sensitivity to pain triggers and neuronal excitability.
A study published in Neurology found that yoga reduced headache frequency by 48% and pain intensity in people with episodic migraine. The yoga group experienced fewer headaches, less pain, and decreased need for medications compared to the medication-only group.
A new study finds that acupuncture can reduce the frequency of migraine days and attacks, with manual acupuncture showing greater benefits than sham or usual care. The treatment resulted in a significant reduction in migraine episodes, making it an effective alternative to drugs for patients who prefer not to use them.
A recent study reveals that migraine patients exhibit altered tactile sensation, particularly a decreased perception of pleasure in gentle touch. The research suggests that this disturbance may be related to the same neurophysiological processes underlying allodynia, a common symptom of migraine.
Researchers developed a simple risk score prediction model to determine stroke risk in adults with migraine accompanied by aura. The study found that those with high-risk scores were about 7 times more likely to have a stroke than low-risk individuals.
Intranasal insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) treatment reduces trigeminal pain pathway activation and oxidative stress levels in a rat model of migraine. The therapy has a unique potential to safely prevent migraine headaches through multiple novel mechanisms.
A systematic review of 23 studies on pharmacological migraine prophylaxis in children and adolescents found that none of the tested medications had a significant long-term effect compared to placebo. Short-term improvements were seen for propranolol and topiramate, but these effects were not sustained.
Pre-clinical studies reveal that cortical spreading depression and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) play significant roles in migraine. Botox, CGRP, and PACAP-38 show promise as potential treatments.
A new clinical trial tests a cell-phone-sized device that stimulates the vagus nerve to prevent and treat migraine attacks. The device has shown promise in preventing and combating migraine attacks through its proprietary stimulation method, offering a non-invasive treatment option with minimal side effects.
Assistant Professor Søren Grubb has discovered precapillary sphincters in mice, which regulate the resistance between arterioles and capillaries. The findings suggest a potential link to diseases like migraine, Alzheimer's, and vascular dementia, which are associated with blood vessel defects.
Researchers found structural brain connectivity changes between migraine patients and healthy volunteers, as well as between episodic and chronic migraine patients. Strengthening connectivity was observed in areas implicated in migraine's pathophysiology, while weakening connectivity patterns were seen in the temporal lobe of migraine ...
A recent meta-analysis published in Cephalalgia highlights the predictors of chronic migraine, including depression, which increases the risk by 58%, and high-frequency attacks, which raises a permanent debate surrounding the diagnostic criteria. The study also found medication overuse to increase the odds of developing chronic migrain...
A study found that nitroglycerin infusion triggers abnormal cardiovascular responses in migraine patients, including higher heart rates and reduced stroke volume. The findings suggest a systemic susceptibility to the vasodilatory effects of nitroglycerin, possibly due to enhanced sensitivity to nitric oxide.
A recent study published in Cephalalgia found that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and sildenafil both provoke migraine attacks in patients, with no differences in clinical characteristics. The study suggests that these drugs may act through a single molecular pathway, offering potential for new preventive therapeutics.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that sleep fragmentation, not short nightly sleep duration or low sleep quality, was associated with higher odds of having a migraine on the day after. The team observed that participants reported more headaches when they experienced more time spent in bed but not asleep.
A recent study published in Cephalalgia highlights an overlooked relationship between migraine and exercise. Anxiety sensitivity is found to be associated with physical activity avoidance in women with probable migraine, particularly with vigorous intensity.
Cinnarizine and sodium valproate show promise as preventive agents for pediatric migraine, reducing headache frequency by over 50% compared to placebo. The study suggests these medications may be a new option for children and adolescents with migraine, but long-term safety concerns need further investigation.
A study found that half of adults experienced headaches after consuming a cold stimulus, with moderate pain lasting less than 30 seconds. The pleasure of eating ice cream or drinking cold drinks may be reduced due to painful headaches.
Studies on mice suggest that a neuropeptide αCGRP has beneficial effects on the heart in patients with high blood pressure. Physical activity increases αCGRP levels, which help prevent pathological heart remodeling and cardiac dysfunction. However, long-term use of αCGRP blockers may be hazardous for these patients.
A recent study published in the Journal of Pain found that inhaled cannabis reduces self-reported headache severity by 47.3% and migraine severity by 49.6%. The study analyzed archival data from over 1,300 patients who used medical cannabis to track changes in their symptoms before and after use.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found a peptide called PACAP links migraine pain and opioid-induced pain, offering potential new treatments for episodic migraines. The study's findings support the development of therapies targeting PACAP and its receptor.
A small study suggests that non-invasive nerve stimulation may be effective in treating vestibular migraine attacks. The treatment, which involves electrical impulses delivered through the skin to the vagus nerve, showed improvement in vertigo symptoms for 13 out of 14 participants.
Research linking migraines to increased risk of dementia highlights the importance of early detection and prevention strategies for Alzheimer's disease. Migraines were identified as a mid-life risk factor for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, in a study of 679 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older.
A new study published in Neurology found that facial pain is a common symptom of headaches, affecting up to 10% of people with primary headaches. The study suggests that facial pain may be a distinct syndrome rather than just a headache variant.
The American Academy of Neurology has developed guidelines for preventing and treating migraine in children and teens. The guidelines recommend a detailed history and physical examination, education about migraine triggers, healthy lifestyle habits, and evidence-based treatments such as ibuprofen and triptans.
A study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that one to two servings of caffeinated beverages per day were not associated with an increased risk of headaches for patients with episodic migraine. However, consuming three or more servings may be linked to a higher risk of migraines on the same day or the following day.
A new study in The American Journal of Medicine found that drinking three or more caffeinated beverages a day increases the odds of triggering a migraine headache on the same or next day. However, consuming one to two servings per day did not appear to be linked to developing a migraine headache.
According to the OVERCOME study, nearly a quarter of people with frequent headaches use opioids to treat their migraines. Clinical guidelines discourage opioid use for migraine symptoms except in rare cases, highlighting concerns about its potential risks and effectiveness.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that adolescent girls who reach puberty earlier are more likely to develop migraine headaches. The study, which followed 761 girls over 10 years, suggests that early exposure to estrogen may be a trigger for migraine in some girls.
A new antibody treatment for high-frequency migraines has been found to be ineffective in reducing headache frequency among patients. Only six out of 28 patients reported a reduction of at least 25 percent in headache days, with none achieving a 50 percent reduction.
Rimegepant, a novel gepant therapy, demonstrates significant relief from acute migraine pain and associated symptoms in a large-scale clinical trial. The study found that rimegepant effectively blocks the CGRP pathway, providing a new option for people with migraine not helped by existing medications.
Dr. Paulina Sliwa's study suggests that morally adequate intentions are the crucial ingredient in making excuses work, with intentions being key to understanding how we make choices. Successful excuses can mitigate blame but don't absolve moral responsibility completely.
A nationwide cohort study reveals that pregnant women with migraines face a higher risk of miscarriage, cesarean sections, and low birth weight babies. Migraine medication may help mitigate some complications.
Food insecurity affects 11% of young adults and is linked to a higher prevalence of migraine. The study suggests that clinicians screen for food insecurity among people with migraine, as it may exacerbate symptoms.
A new study published in Nature Digital Medicine found that smartphone-based relaxation technique RELAXaHEAD can reduce migraine headache days by four per month. The app's success rate increased from 51% to 29% after three months, suggesting its potential as a treatment option.
A proof-of-concept study found that special goggles measuring eye movements can accurately diagnose vertigo types, including Meniere's disease. The study showed improved sensitivity and specificity compared to audio tests.
Researchers found that a protein implicated in migraine symptoms caused pain responses only in female rodents, but not males. This discovery may help explain why migraine is three times more common in women than men.
A new study found that low doses of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) trigger headaches only in female rodents, potentially explaining the higher prevalence of migraines in women. The researchers used rat and mouse models with both male and female animals to investigate CGRP's role in migraine.
A study by the University of Toronto found that adults with migraines who experienced childhood physical or sexual abuse were more likely to attempt suicide. Approximately 8.7% of individuals with migraines had attempted suicide, compared to 2.3% without the disorder.