Robbins Headache Clinic Blog
Promising New Drug for Migraine Prevention
A new phase 2 trial of ALD403, a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRO) showed that the drug was safe and effective. Although preliminary, the results are promising, said lead author, David W. Dodick, professor,...
Zohydro Maker Submits Application For New Version
Zogenix, the maker of the opioid painkiller Zohydro ER recently submitted an application to the Food and Drug Administration for a new version that the company says will be less susceptible to abuse. The new formulation "contains additional inactive ingredients that...
“Can an Apple a Day Keep Obesity at Bay?”
Can the bounty of apples available this time of year be good for the waistline? A study of over 55 adults published in the journal Appetite revealed that eating an apple before lunch helped reduce calories in that meal by 15% or about 185 calories. The researchers...
Compounded Pain Creams
There are some compounding pharmacies that prepare compounded pain creams and ointments that contain a combination of potent medications. Many include drugs that can cause central nervous system depression or cardiac effects such as ketamine, gabapentin, clonidine,...
Experts say “Walking is the Superfood of Fitness”
There was an article on Reuters website recently that suggests walking may be the best exercise out there. Here is part of the article that explains why... Walking may never become as trendy as CrossFit, as sexy as mud runs or as ego-boosting as Ironman races but for...
Asthma Increases Risk for Migraine Chronification
"Mast cell degranulation or parasympathetic hyperactivity, as encountered with asthma, might predispose an individual to the future onset of chronic migraine," said Vincent Martin, MD, Professor of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati. The findings are from an...
New Daily Persistent Headache Is Often Linked With a Precipitating Event
According to research presented at the 56th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society, most cases of new daily persistent headache (NDPH) are associated with a precipitating event such as a flu-like or viral illness. Robert P. Cowan, MD, Clinical...
First Blood Test to Diagnose Depression in Adults
Northwestern University scientists have developed the first blood test to diagnose major depression in adults. It is considered a breakthrough approach that provides the first objective, scientific diagnosis for depression. The test identifies depression by measuring...
Are Women More Sensitive to Effects of Marijuana?
In the first study of it's kind to evaluate sex differences in THC, the key ingredient in cannabis, researchers have found that smoking the concentrated marijuana of today may be riskier for women - due to the hormone estrogen. Previous studies have found that women...
The Link Between Chronic Pain and Disturbed Sleep
According to an overview presented at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, many patients' sleep complaints are comorbid with pain disorders. Alon Avidan, MD, MPH, a neurologist at the Ronald Reagan University of California, Los Angeles,...