Research into Migraine Cures

Migraines are incredibly painful headaches that fall under a specific category of headache. People who suffer from migraines often describe them as pulsing or throbbing on one side of the head while they also suffer from light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, nausea and vomiting. Interestingly, migraines are three times more likely in women than in men. Many people who suffer from migraines also get an aura, or a visual disturbance such as seeing flashing lights or zigzag lines.

With advances in technology and imaging scientists are now able to observe the brain during a migraine attack which has led to the discovery that sufferers usually have excitable brain nerve cells. When a migraine is triggered by an exogenous cause (something from outside the body) these neurons suddenly fire electrical pulses through the brain and down the brain stem where the vital pain centers are located. This wave of electrical impulse causes blood flow to increase and then quickly drop off. Researchers believe that the pain of a migraine is caused by the blood vessels which are inflamed by the swinging in blood flow or the brainstem stimulation or both.

In the past 10 years research into prevention and treatment for migraines has intensified. To this point, researchers have been unable to identify the causative factors behind individuals who have migraines versus those who don\’t suffer at all. Because of this they are also unable to identify a cure for the condition.

Migraine sufferers used to have to experience the migraine without hope of treatment or identifying possible triggers which would prevent further migraine. However, with the improved research technologies in the past decade and a half advancements have been made. Not the least of these advancements is the first triptans drug introduced in the US in 1993 (Imitrex). This was closely followed by tablets and nasal sprays and dissolvable tablets.

Another form of drug, dihydroergotamine, was introduced in 1997 as a nasal spray. With the continuing advancements in imaging technology more research is now possible and being conducted into observing the brain during a migraine attack and potentially tracing a cause. Also in the last 10 years migraines were officially classified as a neurological disease and not referred to as just a bad headache.

In study after study researchers found that individuals who suffered from migraine headaches also had an increased risk of depression and a decreased quality of life. Many current clinical trials are ongoing with medications to test them as both migraine preventatives and migraine treatments.

More research has revealed that individuals who use barbiturates or other opiate type drugs such as codeine and oxycodone, for their migraines are at higher risk for headaches that become chronic. This study, conducted by the National Headache Foundation, tested individuals who had been diagnosed with episodic headaches, fewer than 15 days a month. Those who took barbiturates and opiate drugs were twice as likely to develop a chronic migraine a year later. There is no evidence that people who regularly use triptans or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were at risk for developing chronic migraines. (1)

Current research recently completed evaluated migraine frequency in the risk of cardiovascular disease in women as well as seeking any links between teenagers who suffer from migraines and also suicide in suicidal thoughts.

In a study of teens, researchers found that teenagers who have frequent headaches were also at risk for suicidal thoughts and suicide. Healthcare providers and families are encouraged to have a plan in place to deal with these behaviors and determine and assess risk. The study examined the baseline thoughts in a population of teens but further study would be useful to understand the psychology and biology responsible for these findings. This study did not investigate effective treatment protocols and whether they\’ve reversed suicidal thought or if the suicidal thought extended to suicide attempts. (2)

In a study published in an issue of Neurology researchers reviewed records of over 25,000 female healthcare professionals who were over the age of 45 and had no known cardiovascular disease. Of these 3500 had migraines. Medical information was recorded during a 12 year. During which the researchers recorded migraines frequency and whether the women developed in the cardiovascular disease in that 12 year period.

The results from this study were very interesting because the authors found different results depending upon whether or not the women had auras before their migraines. In women whose migraine did not include an aura there was no significant increase in risk of cardiovascular disease as compared to women who had no migraines at all. However, women whose migraines did include an aura had an increased risk of cardiovascular disease over both other groups. The number of times it occurred also had a significance in the risk. In other words auras that occurred less than once a month had more than twice the risk of heart attacks in women without migraines and an elevated stroke risk but women who had an aura at least once a week had four times the risk of stroke. (3)

Although the information is highly important it is also important to recognize that the number of individuals who do develop cardiovascular disease is relatively small and the overall population. For example, of the 180 women who had weekly migraines only two had heart attacks and four suffered strokes during the 12 year study period there are also many other risk factors for developing stroke and heart attacks which are well-known to researchers and doctors such as high cholesterol, smoking, alcohol and blood pressure.

This information is important to learn so that women who do suffer from migraines with an aura are able to take additional preventative measures before developing cardiovascular disease and stroke, such as lifestyle changes that eliminates smoking, fats, sugars, processed foods, alcohol and control blood pressure.

Other research studies similar to this are ongoing today funded by various organizations and pharmaceutical companies all of whom are interested in helping to reduce the amount of pain and discomfort which individuals who suffer from migraines experience. By preventing migraines as well as decreasing the length of time a person experiences them pharmaceutical companies and organizations can make a significant impact on the workforce and the cost of these migraines to the general public.

(1) Medscape Education: Barbiturates and Opiates Increase Risk for Chronic Migraine

(2) American Academy of Neurology: Teens with Migraine at Greater Risk of Suicide

(3) Neurology: Migraine Linked to Risk of Depression in Women

RESOURCES

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and stroke: Migraine Information Page

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Headache: Hope Through Research

MayoClinic: Migraine

Migraine Research Foundation: Treatment