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New Updates In Headache Research

I recently returned from the International Headache Society Meeting in Philadelphia, PA. It was sponsored by the American Headache Society and was basically a scientific meeting. What this means is that most of the lectures and posters presented revolved around research.

One of the hot topics was post-traumatic headache syndrome, in particular the aspects of military injury. Studies of vets returning from current war assignments showed that those with a previous history of migraines were more likely to suffer from post-traumatic headaches if involved in a traumatic brain injury.

Another study showed that chronic post-traumatic headaches were more likely to result from a mild head injury than from a severe one. Why this occurs is not exactly known at the present time.

A third study demonstrated that headaches that occur more than 6 months after a motor vehicle accident are most likely NOT due to the accident. (I hear lawyers grumbling!!)

New Treatments For Migraines

The clinical trials support what I am seeing in our headache center at Dent Neurologic, that the majority of people with chronic migraines do respond to Botox injections.

Hopefully the company will present this to the FDA and get the headache indication next year. Insurance companies in the Western New York area are paying for it already, so it might be worthwhile to check with your insurance company.

Another clinical trial that is just finishing up is the MAP trials for a new inhalable dihydroergotamine. This is the medication in Migranol nasal spray and the inhalable form is a new delivery system. The brand name of the drug is Levedex. This will be used at the onset of migraine and will be great for those of you with severe nausea and vomiting as there is nothing to swallow. Again, it will probably be available in a year or two.

New research is always coming so don't despair about your headaches. If you have not seen a true headache specialist, perhaps now is the time. You are worth it and deserve good treatment to get this pain under control.

Take care and I hope you are doing well...

Take care..

Mary Kay Betz, MS RPA-C
Physician Assistant