Migraine is thought to be triggered by excessive neocortical neuronal excitability that leads to cortical spreading depression. In this issue of Neuron, Tottene et al. study a mouse model of familial hemiplegic migraine type 1, and provide evidence for the hyperactivity of P/Q-type calcium channel-mediated cortical glutamatergic synaptic transmission as an underlying mechanism for the susceptib...

Migraine is a common, incapacitating disorder that is underdiagnosed in clinical practice. Early and correct diagnosis of migraine is essential and can lead to significant improvements in a patient's quality of life. In the clinical practice setting, a screening tool can be used that can help differentiate migraine from other headache disorders. New research into the development of central sens...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The epidemiology and impact of headache disorders are only partially documented for Asian countries. We investigated the prevalence and impact of migraine and tension-type headache - which are the two most common primary headache disorders - in a Korean population. METHODS A stratified random population sample of Koreans older than 19 years was selected and evaluated us...

B. Know that women are at greater risk for several chronic painful disorders, including temporomandibular disorders, fibromyalgia, migraine headache, interstitial cystitis, joint pain, irritable bowel syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, and trigeminal neuralgia (Unruh 1996; Jones and Nyberg 1997; LeResche 1999; Buckwalter and Lappin 2000; Dao and LeResche 2000). Be aware that these differ...

Key points • There is an intimate relationship between sleep and headaches. • Certain types of headaches may be associated with specific stages of sleep and, thereby, lead to sleep disruption. • Migraine headaches, cluster headaches, paroxysmal hemicrania, hypnic headache, and headache on awakening are the most emblematic sleep-related headache disorders. • Migraine headaches may be provoked by...

With the huge negative impact of neurological disorders on patient's life and society resources, the discovery of neuroprotective agents is critical and cost-effective. Neuroprotective agents can prevent and/or modify the course of neurological disorders. Despite being underestimated, riboflavin offers neuroprotective mechanisms. Significant pathogenesis-related mechanisms are shared by, but no...

OBJECTIVE To compare the ability of a headache nurse specialist and consultant neurologists in diagnosing tension-type headache and migraine. METHODS An experienced neurology ward sister was trained in the differential diagnosis of headache disorders. Over six months, patients with non-acute headache disorders and role players trained to present with benign or sinister headaches were seen by ...

OBJECTIVES To gauge consensus regarding a proposed definition for refractory migraine proposed by Refractory Headache Special Interest Section, and where its use would be most appropriate. BACKGROUND Headache experts have long recognized that a subgroup of headache sufferers remains refractory to treatment. Although different groups have proposed criteria to define refractory migraine, the de...

Migraine is positively associated with cardio- and cerebrovascular disorders and with structural heart anomalies. Migraine is more prevalent among people with right-to-left shunt by means of patent foramen ovale, atrial septal defects, and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations and among those with altered cardiac anatomy, such as mitral valve prolapse, atrial septal aneurysm, and congenital hea...

The International Classification of Headache Disorders lists several types of headaches [1]. Among primary headaches, migraine, tension-type headache and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias are included. However, the distinction between migraine and tension-type headache, especially in children, is not always easy and the same subject can sometimes or periodically experience migraine and tension-...