Headache and Pain Research

Articles in E-pub version are posted online ahead of regular printed publication.

Editorial

Tension-Type Headache and Primary Stabbing Headache: Primary Headaches Beyond Migraine: Mi-Kyoung Kang; Received April 18, 2025 Accepted May 8, 2025 Published online June 5, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.62087/hpr.2025.0007 [Epub ahead of print]

28 View
0 Download

PDF

Review Article

Genetic Architecture of Migraine: From Broad Insights to East Asian Perspectives: Joonho Kim, Min Kyung Chu; Received February 28, 2025 Accepted April 5, 2025 Published online May 27, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.62087/hpr.2025.0003 [Epub ahead of print]

62 View
2 Download

Abstract PDF: Migraine is a complex neurological disorder with a strong genetic component, ranging from rare monogenic forms, such as familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM), to common polygenic migraine. FHM is primarily caused by mutations in CACNA1A, ATP1A2, and SCN1A, which affect ion channel function and cortical excitability. Additional genes, including PRRT2, have also been implicated, broadening the genetic landscape of monogenic migraine. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified multiple susceptibility loci for common migraine, highlighting key pathways related to neuronal excitability and vascular function. These findings have reinforced the neurovascular hypothesis of migraine pathogenesis. GWAS on other headache disorders, such as broadly defined headache or cluster headache, have also revealed both overlapping and distinct genetic risk factors. Genetic studies in East Asians have identified both ancestry-specific risk variants and overlapping loci with European populations, suggesting similarities in biological pathways while also highlighting population-specific differences in migraine susceptibility. Expanding research on the genetics of migraine in East Asian populations is essential for uncovering novel risk factors and improving the generalizability of genetic findings.

Original Article

Premonitory Symptoms in Migraine: Implications for Disease Burden and Cognitive Impairment, with Some Promising Answers: Utku Topbaş, Bahar Taşdelen, Nevra Öksüz Gürlen, Aynur Özge; Received November 29, 2024 Accepted January 10, 2025 Published online May 26, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.62087/hpr.2024.0031 [Epub ahead of print]

98 View
6 Download

Abstract PDF: Purpose: This study evaluated the prevalence and impact of premonitory symptoms (PS) in people with migraine, assessing their influence on disability, cognitive function, and quality of life.
Methods
In a cross-sectional analysis at Mersin University Hospital, 186 migraine patients were interviewed to identify the presence of PS, using a structured questionnaire that included measures of disability (Migraine Disability Assessment Scale or MIDAS), quality of life (European Health Impact Scale or EUROHIS-8), and cognition (Migraine Attack Related Subjective Cognitive Scale or Mig-SCOG). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, the t-test, and the Mann-Whitney U-test, with a significance threshold set at p<0.05.
Results
Among participants, 74.7% reported one or more PS, with the most common being neck stiffness (64.7%), photophobia (56.8%), fatigue (52.8%), and phonophobia (50.3%). Patients with PS demonstrated significantly lower quality of life scores (EUROHIS-8, p<0.001) and higher cognitive impairment scores (Mig-SCOG, p<0.001) than those without PS, despite similar levels of migraine disability (MIDAS, p=0.050).
Conclusion
The high prevalence of PS in people with migraine and their association with greater cognitive impairment and reduced quality of life indicate that more targeted interventions are necessary in this subgroup. PS may be either a driver of cognitive and quality of life burden or just a marker of it, and disambiguating these possibilities will be a critical area for future research and clinical focus. More optimized and standardized prospective studies are needed to clarify the prevalence of PS.

Review Article

Efficacy and Safety of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Abdallah Abbas, Basant Lashin, Mohamed Abouzid, Hadir Mustafa Mohamed, Mohamed El-Moslemani, Mohamed A. Zanaty, Haneen Sabet, Dina Essam Abo-elnour, Ahmed Ibrahim Ghonimy Shedid, Mohamed Salah Mohamed Syed, Amna Hussein, Hoda Awad, Ahmed M. Raslan; Received December 6, 2024 Accepted January 10, 2025 Published online April 16, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.62087/hpr.2024.0032 [Epub ahead of print]

848 View
29 Download

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for pain management in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). A comprehensive literature search was conducted through May 2024 in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Eligible studies included clinical trials, observational, and case-control studies. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted data. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 for randomized controlled trials and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager v.5.3, with heterogeneity evaluated by chi-square and I² tests. Five studies (245 patients) were included, with rTMS sessions ranging from 10 to 28. Meta-analysis showed significant pain reduction with rTMS compared to sham treatment. At 2 weeks post-treatment, the mean pain score difference (visual analogue scale) was –1.44 (95% CI: –2.12 to –0.77; p<0.0001), with sustained relief at 1 and 3 months. However, no significant differences were found in the patient’s global impression of change scale, sleep quality, quality of life (QoL), medication regulation, or adverse events. rTMS exerted a consistent pain relief effect of rTMS, but its impact on broader aspects of patient well-being was less clear. rTMS provides sustained pain relief in PHN for up to 3 months, but its impact on QoL and secondary outcomes remains unclear, warranting further investigation.

First
Prev
Page of 1
Next
Last

Ahead-of print articles