AHS Meeting Release Latebreakers

Late-Breaking Findings on Migraine and New Investigational Treatments Presented at 2017 American Headache Society Annual Scientific Meeting

Boston, June 7, 2017 – The American Headache Society (AHS) announced results from four late-breaking studies that will be presented at the 59th Annual Scientific Meeting, June 8 – 11, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. They include findings on new, investigational treatments for acute migraine, possible similarities between colicky infants and migraine sufferers, and headaches following traumatic brain injury. The AHS Annual Scientific Meeting brings together more than 1,000 migraine and headache specialists from around the world.

“These studies show the very considerable potential of novel therapies to improve our understanding of migraine, and more important, to treat sufferers better and reduce their disability,” said Peter Goadsby, MD, PhD, FAHS, AHS Scientific Program Committee Chair, Professor of Neurology at King’s College, London and University of California, San Francisco and Director of NIHR-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, King’s College Hospital, London.

New Investigational Treatments of Acute Migraine Rapidly Reduce Symptoms and are Well Tolerated

  • “Lasmiditan (200 mg and 100 mg) Compared to Placebo for Acute Treatment of Migraine”
    This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 1,545 participants who were suffering a migraine attack that resulted in at least moderate disability (Migraine Disability Assessment Score [MIDAS] >11). The findings showed that significantly more participants were free of headache pain and the most bothersome symptom (nausea, or aversion to loud sounds or light) two hours after treatment with the investigational medicine lasmiditan compared to placebo. Lasmiditan was generally well tolerated, with no participants discontinuing the medication because of an adverse event.
  • Effectiveness and Safety of a New Zolmitriptan Rapid Absorption Microneedle Array (M207) for the Acute Treatment of Migraine (The Zotrip Study)”
    This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated a new, microneedle array delivery system called M207 for the medication zolmitraptan in 321 adults suffering from a migraine headache with or without aura. The findings showed that, two hours after treatment, significantly more participants were free of pain and the most bothersome symptom (nausea, or aversion to loud sounds or light) with M207 treatment compared to placebo. M207 was well tolerated. Application-site adverse events included redness, swelling and bruising, which cleared within 24 hours in most participants.

First Study Showing Colicky Infants Have Increased Sensitivity to Stimuli Similar to Those with Migraine

  • As in Migraine, Sensitivity to Certain Stimuli is Increased in Babies with Colic”
    This survey-based study included parents of a total of 895 infants four to eight weeks of age, 230 of whom had colic. The findings showed that parents perceive their colicky infants to have increased sensitivity to certain stimuli, particularly loud sounds and strong smells. While late afternoon/early evening (4:00 PM-8:00 PM) was the most common time period for the heaviest crying for both colicky and non-colicky infants, colicky infants were significantly more likely to have their heaviest crying from 8:00 PM to midnight, followed by midnight to 4:00 AM. Additionally, the study found that many infant settling techniques work for soothing both colicky and non-colicky infants, including ones that involve decreasing stimulation.

Study Finds Traumatic Brain Injuries Result in Different Trajectories of Headaches Over Five Years

  • Headache Trajectories over Five Years after Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury”
    Based on interviews from 316 individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) followed over five years, this study found four different trajectories for headache pain: minimal pain over time (25% of individuals), worsening pain over time (37%), improving pain over time (7%), and chronic pain over time (24%). A relatively large group (24% to 30%) continued to experience chronic headache pain and a significant functional impact of headache over five years after TBI. The study concluded that recognizing individuals most affected by headache following TBI may be key to identifying appropriate treatments in order to help them live more fulfilling lives and increase their chances of employment.

About Migraine
Migraine is a major disabling neurological disease that affects more than 36 million men, women and children in the United States. The disease impacts one in four households, one in five women, one in 16 men and one in 11 children in the United States. Globally, migraine is the sixth highest cause of years of life lost due to disability. Individuals who experience migraine have symptoms that include nausea, sensitivity to light and/or odors, skin sensitivity, fatigue, mood change, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, neck pain and changes in vision, including seeing spots, stars, lines, flashing lights and zigzag lines. The risk of other serious diseases is significantly higher in those with migraine, including stroke, epilepsy, depression, anxiety and chronic pain. Despite this, only one of every three people talk with a doctor about their migraine attacks and of those, only half get the right diagnosis. There is also a massive shortage of specialists focusing on migraine, with one specialist for every 65,000 individuals living with migraine, which worsens the problem.

About Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic brain injury is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain. It is a major cause of death and disability in the United States that leads to approximately one third of all injury deaths. Long-lasting effects of TBI – post-traumatic headache, post-traumatic stress, depression, sleep disorders and motor and cognitive impairments – can lead to disruption in the lives of many who experience it.

About the American Headache Society
The American Headache Society (AHS) is a professional society of health care providers dedicated to the study and treatment of headache and face pain. The Society’s objectives are to promote the exchange of information and ideas concerning the causes and treatments of headache and related painful disorders. Educating physicians, health professionals and the public and encouraging scientific research are the primary functions of this organization. AHS activities include an annual scientific meeting, a comprehensive headache symposium, regional symposia for neurologists and family practice physicians, and publication of the journal Headache. More information can be found at www.americanheadachesociety.org. In 2010 AHS founded the American Migraine Foundation (AMF) to provide access to information and resources for individuals living with migraine, as well as their loved ones. AMF is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of research and awareness surrounding migraine. Patients can learn more, find help and get connected by visiting www.americanmigrainefoundation.org.

CONTACT: Amra Maynard, Amra.Maynard@inventivhealth.com, +1 212 845 5625 and +1 917 302 2702

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