This dissertation assesses whether intense visual stimulation can act as a stressor to migraine sufferers between attacks, and whether subjective and psychophysiological reactions to these stimuli can clarify how migraine attacks may be triggered. / The first study assessed thresholds of light-induced discomfort and pain in migraine sufferers and non-migrainous controls during a non-headache period. Two instruction sets were compared to assess whether information presented to participants would affect thresholds. The results showed that migraineurs had significantly lower thresholds for light-induced pain. However, this effect was most apparent in those who had heard the negatively biased instructions reinforcing the need to control contextual factors when assessing subjective phenomena such as visual discomfort. / The second study assessed subjective and psychophysiological responses of female migraine sufferers and female controls during exposure to visual stimuli incorporating spatial and temporal characteristics that are most likely to be bothersome to migraineurs. Two control stimuli were included to assess responses during similar, but theoretically less aversive conditions. Migraine sufferers had higher heart rate and more frequent electrodermal responses than controls at all points of the study, including baseline and recovery. However, while migraineurs reported higher anxiety during the intense conditions, and reported more visual and somatic complaints than controls during various viewing conditions, they did not show heart rate, heart rate variability or electrodermal changes that would suggest clear changes in autonomic function in response to aversive visual stimulation. / The third study assessed ambulatory electrocardiograms to investigate whether autonomic changes would be evident in the period leading up to, during or following a migraine. Three individuals were assessed on a day when they experienced a naturally occurring headache, and on a day when they were not. No obvious pattern of autonomic change was detected before or after headache, although there was some evidence that a pattern of increased heart rate and decreased vagal tone may accompany headache. / In summary, the results confirm that migraine sufferers are more sensitive to intense visual stimulation than controls, but do not support the contention that exposure results in widespread autonomic changes. Since interictal visual discomfort is a common in migraine, further research is needed to clarify how it can be incorporated into models of migraine pathophysiology.

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin-Madison. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-110).

Thèse (M.A.)--Université Laval, 2003. / Bibliogr.: f. 59-62. Publié aussi en version électronique.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Bowling Green State University, 2006. / Document formatted into pages; contains x, 107 p. Includes bibliographical references.

Proefschrift Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam. / Met bibliogr., lit. opg. - Met samenvatting in het Nederlands.

The migraine-specific triptans have revolutionized the treatment of migraine and are currently the drugs of choice to treat a migraine attack in progress. Over the past 15 years, triptans were released in rAβid succession, with each one demonstrating some specific pharmacokinetic properties that may be translated into clinical advantages. Triptans share many similarities, but also have important differences from one another. Accordingly, herein we discuss the class of the triptans. We first define the trigeminovascular system and its importance in migraine pain, then discuss the mechanism of action of the triptans and contrast the evidence supporting the use of different triptans. We close with our view of the future and hopes for the next generation of antimigraine therAβies.

No description available.

Many people around the world are impacted by some form of bodily pain. Outside factors are thought to help trigger pain, especially in those who have pain-related conditions. When it comes to human health and comfort, understanding the potential external factors that aide in triggering pain is essential. Identifying such factors makes prevention and treatment of pain more feasible. The first part of this study identified how those who suffer from various pain-related conditions (fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and general back pain) are impacted by different air mass types. Air mass types and emergency department (ED) visits for pain in select North Carolina counties were collected over a seven-year period to determine a potential relationship. Bootstrapping analyses revealed that Moist Tropical air masses resulted in the highest number of ED visits for all pain conditions examined, while Moist Polar air masses resulted in the fewest. The barometric pressure changes associated with Transitional air masses did not have any significant relationships with pain. The second part of this study sought to determine if regional geographic characteristics impact the relationships found in first part of this study. North Carolina was separated into three geographic sections: Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont Plateau, and Coastal Plain. In the Plateau region, Moist Tropical and Moist Moderate air masses were frequently associated with the highest rates of ED visits for all the conditions examined, while Polar air masses were often associated with the fewest visits. Several conditions exhibited similar relationships with these air mass types in the Mountains, with migraine and fibromyalgia being the exceptions. Very few statistically significant relationships were found in the Coastal region. The last part of this study utilized a survey to identify impacts of weather-based migraine/pain forecasts on human behavior. When provided with different scenarios involving weather-based migraine/pain forecasts, the respondents' decision-making processes were altered. When a hypothetical forecast indicated that the weather was conducive to migraines or other types of pain, many respondents indicated that they would likely take preventative measures (e.g. medication). Additionally, as forecast severity or activity length increased, respondents were less likely to continue with a planned activity.

Cerebral electrostimulation (CES) as a treatment for migraine headache was investigated. Eighteen participants recorded data on headaches for two baseline weeks. Six were assigned to each of three groups--an active treatment group receiving CES, a placebo group receiving a simulated version of CES, and a no-treatment control group placed on a waiting list during the study. The CES group evidenced a significant reduction in headache duration and intensity relative to the placebo group. The waiting list control group did as well as the CES group. A number of hypotheses were put forth in an attempt to account for the unexpected finding.