Jessica Ailani, MD: Understanding the Biology of Migraine
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ม.ค. 2019
- Since the 1980s and 1990s, the understanding of the biology of migraine has markedly improved, which, in turn, has helped advance the therapeutic development for the condition.
These improvements count among them myriad discoveries of the roles of certain players in migraine, including trigeminal nerve, the serotonin system, cortical spreading depression, and other factors. But for Jessica Ailani, MD, the director of the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Headache Center, there’s still a long way to go in completely understanding how migraines occur biologically.
Thus far, the search for the initial signal change in migraine has been narrowed down to calcitonin gene-related peptide, or CGRP, and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, or PACAP. Even with the work with these two peptides, Ailani says there is much more to learn.
To discuss the implications of better comprehending the biology of migraine, Ailani sat down with NeurologyLive for an interview.
Thank you. U made me feel so validated as I sit here right now depressed and miserable in the middle of my 3rd day of migraine with no relief and feeling soooo hopeless.
Never had a migraine until 31, and started seeing a pattern as it aligned each month with my cycle. My migraines tend to always occur on my right side around the trigeminal nerve area. I can hear the my pulse in my ear. I usually always feel feverish or have chills, and need to sleep it off. I find putting a cold compress on my right ear and neck help alleviate the pain. Perhaps it helps with the inflammation of the vessel, or the numbing sensation takes over. My migraines vary in severity. I’ve luckily only had a few debilitating migraines where it induced vomiting, nausea, and light and sound sensitivity. I don’t wish migraines on anyone. But learning about the anatomy and physiology of what may be happening helps my understanding. It sounds weird, but putting a binder clip onto a part of my ear helps, too. I feel my trigeminal nerve is highly sensitive when my migraines kick in.
Eloquently put, Dr. Ailani. Thank you. You covered a lot. Well-explained. Definitely validated those of us who experience multiple migraine symptoms. 🤗