How many of your relatives are affected by migraine? A recently published study found 123 genetic loci associated with migraine. This is nearly 40 more than were previously recognized. In this episode of Heads UP, Lindsay Weitzel, Ph.D. and Tim Smith, MD discuss the results of this study and its implications for the future of families with migraine.

Treating Migraine With Infusions – In this week’s episode of Heads UP Lindsay Weitzel, Ph.D. discusses infusions with Dr. Merle Diamond, MD. What infusions are used to break a migraine cycle and why? What medicines are sometimes added together in the infusions? Don’t miss this episode!

Heads UP: Low-Pressure Headache - Finding the Leak

Do you know the symptoms of low-pressure headache or spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH)? Often it presents with a chronic headache that is better when you lie down and worse when you sit up and gets progressively worse as the day goes on. It can be confused with migraine or other types of headache. This type of headache is caused by a low volume of cerebrospinal spinal fluid (CSF) due to a "CSF leak" that can be very difficult to find.

In this episode of Heads UP, Lindsay Weitzel, Ph.D. talks to Andrew Callen, MD, a neuroradiologist specializing in finding CSF leaks. Listen in to hear the details about spontaneous intracranial hypotension or SIH.

Visit www.headaches.org for more information.

It is a well-documented fact that migraine is an underdiagnosed condition and that even people who are correctly diagnosed with migraine often do not have an effective or appropriate treatment plan. Lindsay Weitzel PhD, discusses Think Talk Treat Migraine, with Bert Vargas, MD. They discuss how the Think Talk Treat Migraine program is a valuable resource and an effective way to reach out to the community to improve this problem. Think, Talk, Treat, Migraine is sponsored by Eli Lilly.

The Migraine at School Program is in place to make sure every student has the opportunity to flourish at school. In this week's episode Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, chats with Amy Graham and Elizabeth Henry Weyher of the Migraine at School Program about how we can utilize the resources at MigraineatSchool.org to help our kids and reach out to our local schools.

Is it a migraine triggered by alcohol? Or is it a hangover? Tricks to prevent and stop alcohol-related headache during the holidays. In this episode of Heads UP - Lindsay Weitzel, Ph.D. talks to Merle Diamond, MD, AQH about the difference between a migraine triggered by alcohol and a "hangover". They go over some surprising tricks to avoid alcohol-related headaches.

Of course, there is also a shout-out to our friends who may not be feeling well enough to go to a holiday party, plus ideas to help them feel included and festive.

For too long, migraine patients have been treated differently than others with medical issues as it relates to access to prescription medications. The National Headache Foundation advocates that payers adopt care models that are patient-centric, where the clinician, in collaboration with the patient, is the primary decision-maker and selects a treatment that addresses the patient’s treatment goals and needs. Clinicians are often forced to use outdated prescription drugs in a stepwise approach to all patients, without considering the needs of the individual patient.

Dr. Lindsay Weitzel and Dr. Merle Diamond tackle this important and controversial topic. Visit our website to read the NHF's position statement on the access to care for people living with migraine. https://headaches.org/.../national-headache-foundation.../

The HER-MES trial is a newly published study comparing the tolerability and efficacy of topiramate (Topamax) and erenumab (Aimovig). The results of this trial could impact prescribing practices and payor policies. Tune in this afternoon for this episode of Heads UP as Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, and Tim Smith, MD, discuss the important aspects of the HER-MES trial.

New Data Alert on the Up-and-Coming Migraine Medication: Intranasal Zavegepant. While not yet approved for release, intranasal Zavegepant has shown promise in some interesting and unique data points in the relief of acute migraine. What is Zavegepant and what will it offer us that is different from the other medications made newly available?

Listen to Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, ask the tough questions of migraine clinical trial expert Tim Smith, MD, about this up-and-coming medication.

***UPDATE 3/10/2023 - Zavegepant is the first FDA-Approved CGRP nasal spray for acute migraine. Zavegepant will be available to patients in July 2023.

In this week's episode of Heads UP, Lindsay Weitzel, Ph.D. chats with her friend Joe Coe, chronic migraine advocate and host of the Talking Head Pain Podcast, about the path to advocacy, advocating for yourself and for the migraine community, and how advocacy can be part of your wellness plan. They answer questions like;

- Can Advocacy be part of your wellness plan?

- What if you are currently not healthy enough to be an advocate?

- What does advocacy mean to you and what is the path to migraine, headache, or chronic illness advocacy?

Also, tune in to hear about Joe and Lindsay's favorite migraine relief product. Perfect for your holiday shopping list!