Headache
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Objective - To briefly describe the history of and available data on anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) therapies for headache. Background - CGRP was proposed as a target for primary headache therapies. Translational research involved moving from delineating the relationships between CGRP and primary headaches and the clinical development of anti-CGRP treatments. ⋯ Eptinezumab will likely be submitted to the FDA for prevention of migraine later in 2018. Two gepants, ubrogepant and rimegepant, have completed positive pivotal trials for acute treatment of migraine, but have not yet been submitted to the FDA for this indication. Conclusions - The development of anti-CGRP therapies opens a new era in the acute and preventive treatment of primary headache disorders.
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Migraine impacts more than 36 million people in the United States and 1 billion people worldwide. Despite the increasing availability of acute and preventive therapies, there is still tremendous unmet need. Potential treatments in development include monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Appropriate use of these “biologic” treatments will necessitate an understanding of the aspects that distinguish them from traditional medications. ⋯ The CGRP mAbs are an innovative new therapy for migraine and address the need for effective and tolerable preventive options. MAbs, including those that target CGRP or its receptor, bind to a target with high specificity and affinity and lead to few off-target adverse effects, although mechanism-based adverse reactions may occur. Unlike other therapeutic antibodies used to treat neurologic disease, CGRP mAbs do not have a target within the immune system and have been designed to avoid altering the immune system. The safety and efficacy of mAbs against CGRP or its receptors are being investigated in clinical development programs, and the first of these therapies has received regulatory approval in the United States.
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To briefly update and correct the available data on anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) therapies for headache since the American Headache Society 60th Scientific Meeting, San Francisco, June 2018. ⋯ The development of anti-CGRP therapies opens a new era in the acute and preventive treatment of primary headache disorders.
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Review Case Reports
Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: A Report on 4 Cases and a Review of the Literature.
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is a risk factor for cerebral venous thrombosis. The occurrence of cerebral venous thrombosis in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension raises difficult practical questions regarding the management of the 2 conditions. We reviewed our experience and the relevant literature to evaluate these related questions. ⋯ Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rare but important complication of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. The primary focus of treatment should be the treatment of intracranial hypotension. It could be possible that anticoagulation might increase the risk of intracranial hemorrhage in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension, although a firm conclusion could not be drawn based on the limited number of patients currently available. The use of anticoagulation therapy should be prudent and should be monitored carefully if initiated.
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Migraine and cerebrovascular diseases are disabling disorders, which are possibly closely interrelated. Heterogeneous and scattered evidence in literature remains a challenge. We searched for systematic reviews including diverse cerebrovascular events in migraineurs and reported relevant original studies to update the evidence when necessary. ⋯ However, genetic and environmental factors may be involved in intricate mechanisms responsible for oxidative stress, vascular dysfunction and, ultimately, vascular events. In conclusion, migraine is a potential risk factor for cerebrovascular diseases. Migraineurs should be carefully evaluated considering their vascular risk assessment based on current evidence, so that healthcare professionals can provide appropriate and individualized management of other cardiovascular risk factors, notably quitting smoking and restricting use of oral contraceptives.