October 2023 Society Spotlight
Special Interest Section Edition: Vestibular Migraine and Other Migraine Variants
The Vestibular Migraine and Other Migraine Variants is a new Special Interest Section of the American Headache Society. The impetus for this new AHS group was the observation that migraine is a health condition that has significant non-headache symptoms and these symptoms present to many clinicians outside of the traditional field of neurology. This section sees the opportunity not only to focus more attention on the study and management of vestibular dysfunction within the AHS community but also to serve as a bridge to medical communities outside of AHS.
The inaugural meeting at the 65th Annual Scientific Meeting in Austin, TX was met with enthusiasm from an array of medical and healthcare practitioners. To help inform this new SIS we are currently developing a survey to investigate society members practice patterns surrounding vestibular migraine.
Our next steps are to develop one or more interdisciplinary panels of experts that might debate the current body of knowledge regarding vestibular migraine, as well as other migraine variants, for upcoming AHS meetings. We also will be reviewing and discussing what educational resources our group might be able to provide for the AHS website. Finally, we want to highlight, engage, support and even create new research projects.
Our long term goal is to use interdisciplinary collaboration to provide comprehensive and informed management of vestibular migraines and other migraine variants with a single voice and vision.
Join the Vestibular Migraine and Other Migraine Variants Special Interest Section here.
Meet the Chairs
Frederick Godley III, MD
Staring more than 10 years ago working as a general otolaryngologist, I became aware that migraine provided a new explanation for my patients presenting with recurring or chronic complaints of dizziness or rhinosinusitis. Both the patients and I were thrilled when they often felt better when diagnosed and treated for migraine. With time it became clear that there were many other migraine-related head and neck complaints and that these presentations came in a kaleidoscope of symptoms. The founding the Association of Migraine has allowed me to work with a team to initiate the international awareness campaign Shades for Migraine, create a free, step-by-step, CME-generating online course in migraine management, provide free patient handouts, office poster and other resources and develop multiple pre-clinical and clinical research projects. Having the opportunity to form this SIS allows me to adapt some of this work, such as the newly launched HEADS Registry, and to engage others in new awareness, educational and research programs for the AHS. To a degree, it also is a chance to connect the AHS with the growing otolaryngology academic community, as well as other medical specialists.
Ali Ladak, DPT, PhD
Serves as a physical therapist/researcher for the interdisciplinary pediatric headache clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, provides education to the headache neurology fellows and University of Pennsylvania Neurology Residents, and is an assistant professor at Temple University’s College of Public Health. Focusing on contributory systems (eg. ocular, vestibular, autonomic, cervical and orofacial) that may negatively interact with migraines, post-traumatic headaches, and other headache disorders.
This article is accurate and up to date at the time of posting, but may not reflect the most recent scientific developments or updates.