Headache and Migraine

New 52-week data from an extension study has suggested that recently FDA-approved ubrogepant (Ubrelvy; Allergan) is safe and tolerable, with minimal treatment-related adverse events with 2 doses assessed.

The guidelines included a review of 23 studies, suggesting that patients with normal neurological examinations do not require neuroimaging assessments as part of migraine treatment.

The oral, dual-mechanism therapy from Axsome Therapeutics met both of its primary end points in the phase 3 MOMENTUM trial in acute migraine, and is expected to be filed with the FDA.

Lasmiditan was efficacious across a number of doses in patients with migraine regardless of prior good or insufficient response to triptan administration.

With a differential diagnosis that varies from patient to patient, identifying and treating vestibular migraine continues to challenge even the most experienced clinicians.

The approvals introduced several new classes of drugs, including the ditans and gepants in migraine, as well as novel formulations that can ease the administration of treatments for Parkinson disease and epilepsy.

The director of the Jefferson Headache Center at Thomas Jefferson University detailed the most notable achievements from 2019, and what to expect in the coming year.

Catch up on some of our most popular Peer Exchange panels with experts in the field, including discussions on epilepsy, migraine, multiple sclerosis, and more.

Catch up on some of our most popular video interviews with leaders in the field, including discussions with Imad Najm, MD, James Leverenz, MD, Richard Isaacson, MD, and more.

Branded as Ubrelvy, Allergan’s oral calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonist is the first-in-class to be approved for this indication.

The third generation, high-affinity, selective small molecule CGRP receptor antagonist was significantly superior in the 2 higher doses on both co-primary end points of pain freedom and most bothersome symptoms.

A standardized treatment protocol in emergency departments lead to significant reductions in headache pain.

Treatment with the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitor resulted in significant improvements in monthly migraine headache days across the groups assessed, including a significantly greater number of patients with ≥50% and ≥75% reductions.

Although there are gaps in knowledge, investigators see potential in telemedicine for other neurologic disorders beyond stroke.

Results of the phase 3 ACHIEVE I trial showed a high percentage of patients were free from their most bothersome symptoms 2 hours post dose.

The anti-CGRP treatment from Teva was associated with reductions in the use of migraine-specific headache medication, migraine-associated symptoms, and any acute headache medication use compared to placebo.

With Theranica’s Nerivio Migra acute migraine device named a top invention of the year, three experts in migraine shared their insight into its clinical application in the early days of its availability, with varying experiences.

Neurology News Network for the week ending November 23, 2019.

The investigational new drug application for OWP Pharmaceuticals’ first-ever liquid formulation of topiramate, intended to offer a new delivery alternative for the therapy in epilepsy and migraine treatment, has been approved.

An analysis of ACHIEVE II suggests that the oral CGRP antagonist from Allergan provides significant pain freedom and relief of the most bothersome symptoms for adults with migraine for at least one dose assessed.

Pooled analysis from 3 studies of more than 1000 patients with migraine suggest that galcanezumab (Emgality, Eli Lilly) has good cardiovascular safety and is not linked with vasoconstriction or an increase in cardiovascular adverse events.

"Mind Moments," a podcast from NeurologyLive, brings you an exclusive interview with Amaal Starling, MD.

Patients in small-scale trial experienced a drastic reduction in monthly headache days after just 1 dose of erenumab.

The comprehensive aggressive migraine protocol (CAMP), combining DHE infusion and multidisciplinary care, significantly reduced headache intensity and frequency among other measures in a small group of patients.

Data show patients with high frequency episodic migraine are comparable to those with chronic migraine in regard to chronicity and disability.

A new analysis from the phase 3 HALO development program showed that Teva’s CGRP inhibitor fremanezumab (Ajovy) separated from placebo by Day 2 posttreatment, suggesting not only rapid clinical improvement, but the potential to positively impact treatment adherence.

The chief medical executive at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is expected to be named the next commissioner of the FDA by President Donald Trump.

In Part 2 of this interview, Amaal Starling, MD, assistant professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, discussed what still needs to be done in the migraine space in light of recent advancements and how disease-specific therapies are just the beginning for the field.

In Part 1 of this interview, Amaal Starling, MD, assistant professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, shared her experiences with a number of new migraine drugs and devices and the impact that more options will have on clinical practice.

A phase 3 study of celecoxib oral solution showed statistically significant improvements in the acute treatment of episodic migraine.