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Montefiore in the News

April 24, 2014

Nine Abstracts to be Presented on Diagnosis and Treatment of Migraine and Headache Pain

NEW YORK (April 24, 2014) – Researchers from the Montefiore Headache Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University will present nine abstracts related to migraine and other types of head pain at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) being held April 26 – May 3 in Philadelphia. Migraine is the most common neurologic disorder, impacting nearly 1 in 4 U.S. households.

“Our abstracts emphasize chronic migraine, which afflicts 2% of the United States population,” said Richard B. Lipton, M.D., director, Montefiore Headache Center and professor and vice chair of neurology and the Edwin S. Lowe Chair in Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “We will also discuss the diagnosis and treatment of headaches in pregnancy, an important problem as migraines most commonly impact women during childbearing years. These studies represent our commitment to improving clinical assessments and personalized treatment plans for those affected by head and facial pain.”

This year’s meeting will feature lectures, oral abstracts and poster presentations made by nationally and internationally renowned neurological experts. Findings from the Montefiore Headache Center investigators will cover topics ranging from approaches to improving headache diagnosis and treatment protocols to socioeconomic differences amongst migraine-affected populations to neurologic conditions during pregnancy. Dr. Lipton will also direct a half day course on Chronic Migraine at the AAN meeting.

Chronic migraine presentations:

1. Sociodemographic Disability and Employment Differences Between Persons with Chronic and Episodic Migraine: Results of the Chronic Migraine Epidemiology & Outcomes (CaMEO) Study – The initial presentation from a new national, longitudinal survey of 16,789 persons: 1,476 with chronic migraine and 15,313 with episodic migraine, the CaMEO study. The study compared financial and occupational burdens faced by those with chronic versus episodic migraine, including the degree of differences in unemployment and household income. Presented by Dr. Richard Lipton and Dawn C. Buse, Ph.D., director, Behavioral Medicine, Montefiore Headache Center, associate professor, Clinical Neurology, Einstein. Poster #S41.00, Headache Clinical. Wednesday, April 30 at 4:00 PM.

2. Barriers to Chronic Migraine Care: Results of the Chronic Migraine Epidemiology & Outcomes (CaMEO) Study – The CAMEO study, referenced in presentation one, prompted examination of diagnosis and treatment patterns for those with chronic migraine. Results revealed the number of accurate medical diagnoses for chronic migraine sufferers amongst study respondents, as well as minimally appropriate treatments reported. Presented by Dr. Dawn Buse and Dr. Richard Lipton. Poster #P6.205, Headache Imaging and Epidemiology. Thursday, May 1, 3:30PM.

3. Developing and Validating the ID-Chronic Migraine (ID-CM) Screening Tool – Results from a preliminary screening tool developed to facilitate diagnosis of chronic migraines. The approach was developed by an international expert panel using psychometric and epidemiologic methods. Presented by Dr. Richard Lipton and Dr. Dawn Buse. Poster #P5.202; Headache Epidemiology. Wednesday, April 30 at 5:00 PM.

Headache in pregnancy presentations:

4. Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Pregnant Patients with Headache –Treating migraine in pregnancy can be difficult due to the impact drugs may have on the fetus. This study demonstrated that injections given to selected regions of the head with local anesthetic, a technique known as Peripheral Nerve Blocks, a safe, but rarely studied approach for headaches in pregnancy, may present relief.  Presented by Matthew S. Robbins, M.D., FAHS, director, Inpatient Services, Montefiore Headache Center, chief of Neurology, Einstein Division, Montefiore and assistant professor of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Poster #P7.202, Headache Therapeutics. Thursday, May 1, 3:00 PM.

5.  Peripartum Pneumocephalus Associated With Epidural Anesthesia For Labor – Headache during and after childbirth may have serious or benign causes. This study showed that the presence of gas within the skull (pneumocephalus) can arise as a complication of spinal anesthesia during labor. Pneumocephalus is an under-recognized, but important cause of headache during and following childbirth. Presented by Dr. Robbins. Poster #P5.207, Headache Clinical Presentation/Diagnosis. Wednesday, April 30 at 3:00 PM.