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M. J. Friedrich

JAMA. 2007;298:27-28.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Boston—While physicians may choose among numerous options for treating pain, many conditions would benefit from more effective modalities. Insights from research into the mechanisms of migraine and rare pain disorders are inspiring the search for new analgesics that selectively target pain sources, as researchers discussed at the 59th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology here in May.

MIGRAINE MECHANICS

Over the last 30 years, professor of neurology Michael Moskowitz, MD, and colleagues at Harvard Medical School, in Boston, have been investigating the mechanisms underlying migraine aura and headache. Their work uncovering how an abnormal pattern of brain activity triggers migraine is providing the basis for developing new prophylactic medications for this disorder.

More than just throbbing head pain, a migraine attack is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. And in about 20% of those who experience migraine, the strange visual disturbance called aura . . . [Full Text of this Article]