Research Summary: Toward a better understanding of persistent headache after mild COVID-19: Three migraine-like yet distinct scenarios

Headache®: The Journal of Head and Face Pain published "Toward a better understanding of persistent headache after mild COVID-19: Three migraine-like yet distinct scenarios." Some patients do not fully recover after the acute phase of COVID-19 and experience “post-COVID syndrome.” Persistent headache after the acute phase of COVID-19 is often referred to as “post-COVID headache.” Different headache types can result as sequelae of COVID-19 infection and may be a result of different pathophysiological mechanisms with different prognoses and responses to headache treatments. Study Results Three patients evaluated in a headache clinic with “post-COVID headache” were included in this brief communication....

Atogepant receives FDA approval for the preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults

On September 28, 2021, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved QULIPTATM (atogepant), a once-daily preventive treatment for episodic migraine in adults. Atogepant is an oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist developed for preventive treatment of migraine. Atogepant will be available in 10 mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg tablets, all to be taken once daily. Lower doses are specifically recommended for patients also taking other medications that are cytochrome P3A4 (CYP3A4) inducers or organic anion transporting polypepetide (OATP) inhibitors. Current American Headache Society president, Peter J. Goadsby, MD, PhD, DSc, FAHS, was quoted in the press...

Research Summary: Prospective cohort study of routine exercise and headache outcomes among adults with episodic migraine

Headache®: The Journal of Head and Face Pain published "Prospective cohort study of routine exercise and headache outcomes among adults with episodic migraine." The authors of this study set out to investigate the impact of frequent moderate-vigorous aerobic exercise on headache frequency, intensity and duration, and whether the impact varies with baseline use of prescription preventive medication in patients with episodic migraine (reporting fewer than 15 headache days per month at baseline). Although previous studies have suggested that aerobic exercise for at least 40 minutes three times a week may be beneficial, this study did not assess duration of exercise—but rather...

Dihydroergotamine mesylate nasal spray receives FDA approval for the acute treatment of migraine in adults

On September 3, 2021, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved TRUDHESA™ (dihydroergotamine mesylate) nasal spray (0.725 mg per spray) for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. Dihydroergotamine mesylate (DHE) uses a proprietary Precision Olfactory Delivery (POD®) technology to deliver DHE into the bloodstream through the upper nasal space in the treatment of acute migraine attacks. Previous formulations of DHE are known to be effective for migraine.1 This approval offers patients with migraine a different formulation of DHE as a non-oral, acute treatment option that may bypass the gut and potential absorption issues associated...

Research Summary: Characterization of chronic overlapping pain conditions in patients with chronic migraine: A CHOIR study

Headache®: The Journal of Head and Face Pain published "Characterization of chronic overlapping pain conditions in patients with chronic migraine: A CHOIR study."  There is a set of widespread pain disorders that are often co-occurring within the same individual, including fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, TMD, migraine headache and low back pain, among many others. Previous studies have linked migraine to many of these non-cephalic pain syndromes, and a recent study suggested that patients with episodic migraine have 43% higher odds of developing chronic migraine for every non-cephalic pain syndrome they experience. This current study aims to characterize physical and psychosocial...

The Winning Entries from the 6th Annual Migraine Moment Short Film Contest

We are excited to share the powerful and inspiring winning films from the American Migraine Foundation (AMF) and American Headache Society (AHS) 6th Annual Migraine Moment Short Film Contest. Early in 2021, the contest was announced. We received many submissions, from which a panel of judges selected the four most outstanding entries. Judges included people living with migraine and other headache diseases, their family members, healthcare professionals, AHS and AMF board members, and other community leaders. We interviewed the winning filmmakers to learn more about the inspiration behind the films and to ask them what they wanted to share with...

Research Summary: A link between gastrointestinal disorders and migraine: Insights into the gut-brain connection

Headache®: The Journal of Head and Face Pain published “A link between gastrointestinal disorders and migraine: Insights into the gut-brain connection.” This published review resulted from a literature search of PubMed for articles relating to a link between gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and migraine. The study posed two main questions:  Is there evidence in the literature supporting a brain-gut connection between GI disorders and migraine through shared pathophysiological features? Is there an overlap of symptoms between migraine and GI disorders?   In addition, the authors of the review wanted headache medicine clinicians to become aware that GI disturbances may adversely affect the...