Latest Migraine & Headache Research
MigraineMind provides concise summaries, key learning points and links to the original scientific publications behind recently published migraine and headache research. Learn about MigraineMind or read how the research summaries are made.
Browse migraine research by topic
Explore focused collections that currently meet MigraineMind’s five-paper quality threshold.
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Intrinsic brain activity triggers trigeminal meningeal afferents in a migraine model
Migraine headaches involve the trigeminal nerve and complex triggering mechanisms. This study links migraine aura to headache development. Researchers demonstrated that cortical spreading depression activates…
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Migraine — Current Understanding and Treatment
This research paper from the New England Journal of Medicine explores migraines. It highlights the latest understanding and treatment options for migraines. Migraines affect millions worldwide, significantly…
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Oral triptans (serotonin 5-HT1B/1D agonists) in acute migraine treatment: a meta-analysis of 53 trials
Oral triptans, serotonin 5-HT(1B/1D) agonists, are effective acute migraine treatments. Seven types of triptans will soon be available, necessitating evidence-based selection guidelines. We analyzed data from 53…
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Prevalence and Burden of Migraine in the United States: Data From the American Migraine Study II
This study examined the prevalence and impact of migraine in the United States. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire sent to 20,000 households. The response rate was 68.3% among 43,527 eligible…
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Migraine Diagnosis and Treatment: Results From the American Migraine Study II
A population-based survey in 1999 examined migraine diagnosis and medication use. This study involved 3577 individuals experiencing severe headaches, using International Headache Society criteria. Results showed 48%…
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Periaqueductal Gray Matter Dysfunction in Migraine: Cause or the Burden of Illness?
The periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) plays a key role in pain regulation. Researchers studied iron levels in the PAG in patients with episodic migraine (EM) and chronic daily headache (CDH). They used advanced MRI…
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The Clinical Spectrum of Familial Hemiplegic Migraine Associated with Mutations in a Neuronal Calcium Channel
Familial hemiplegic migraine is an autosomal dominant disorder. It features attacks of transient hemiparesis followed by migraine headaches. This condition divides into two categories. Pure familial hemiplegic…
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Development and testing of the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) Questionnaire to assess headache-related disability
The MIDAS Questionnaire was developed to measure headache-related disability in migraine patients. It consists of five questions focused on activity limitations over the past 3 months. Researchers evaluated its…
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Brainstem activation specific to migraine headache
Research indicates that the brainstem activates during migraine without aura (MWOA). In contrast, cluster headaches show hypothalamic activation. This study examined a patient with both migraine and cluster headache…
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Mechanisms of migraine aura revealed by functional MRI in human visual cortex
Cortical spreading depression (CSD) may cause migraine visual aura. Testing this in humans has been difficult. Researchers used high-field functional MRI to study three subjects. They recorded changes in blood…
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Validity of the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score in comparison to a diary-based measure in a population sample of migraine sufferers
The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire measures headache-related disability over three months. It has moderately high test-retest reliability among headache sufferers. This study aimed to assess the…
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The development of cutaneous allodynia during a migraine attack Clinical evidence for the sequential recruitment of spinal and supraspinal nociceptive neurons in migraine
Most migraine patients experience cutaneous allodynia during their attacks. This study analyzed how cutaneous allodynia develops in a 42-year-old male. Before the headache, he had various aura symptoms. During the…
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Botulinum Toxin Type A as a Migraine Preventive Treatment
Botulinum toxin type A, known as BOTOX, is assessed for migraine prevention. Current treatments often fail due to low effectiveness or adverse effects. BOTOX injections help relieve pain from conditions like cervical…
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An association between migraine and cutaneous allodynia
Recent studies suggest that migraine leads to increased sensitivity in skin areas. This study aimed to explore whether this phenomenon occurs in humans. Researchers measured pain thresholds during migraine attacks…
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An international study to assess reliability of the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score
The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) is a five-item questionnaire. It measures headache-related disability and improves doctor-patient communication about migraine effects. This study examined the reliability…
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The prevalence and characteristics of migraine in a population-based cohort
This study examined migraine prevalence and characteristics in the general population. Researchers analyzed data from 6,491 adults aged 20 to 65 years in the Netherlands. They found that 52.7% of selected…
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Burden of Migraine in the United States
Migraine is a common and disabling condition with significant economic impacts. This study estimated the burden of migraine in the United States. Researchers analyzed data from multiple sources, including published…
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Familial Hemiplegic Migraine and Episodic Ataxia Type-2 Are Caused by Mutations in the Ca2+ Channel Gene CACNL1A4
Familial hemiplegic migraine and episodic ataxia type-2 are linked to chromosome 19p13. Researchers studied a specific gene called CACNL1A4, which forms a brain-specific calcium channel. This gene consists of 47…
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Brain stem activation in spontaneous human migraine attacks
Researchers found that the brain stem plays a key role in migraines. They used positron emission tomography to study blood flow changes during migraine attacks. Increased blood flow occurred in the cingulate…
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Prevalence of headache and migraine in schoolchildren
A study in Aberdeen aimed to determine headache prevalence in schoolchildren. Researchers focused on migraine and its effects on school attendance. They surveyed 2165 children aged 5-15 years from 67 schools. The…