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Topic: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies find (Read 368 times) |
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lmarkins
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Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies find
« on: Mar 8th, 2007, 2:00pm » |
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This was on Yahoo news today. Hope it helps.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070308/hl_nm/headaches_stimulation_dc_1
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Stimulating the brain with implanted electrodes appears to help ease the pain of cluster headaches, two separate teams of researchers reported on Wednesday.
In one study, six out of eight patients said they got relief from cluster headaches, blindingly painful headaches that come back again and again.
Two out of eight patients in a second study said they were headache-free for more than a year using the device, and three more reported a 90-percent drop in the frequency of attacks.
Writing in the Lancet medical journal and its sister publication Lancet Neurology, the researchers said it was important to target the correct area -- the occipital nerve.
"Occipital nerve stimulation in cluster headache seems to offer a safe, effective treatment option that could begin a new era of neurostimulation therapy for primary headache symptoms," Peter Goadsby of University College London in Britain and the University of California, San Francisco, said in a statement.
Cluster headaches are marked by periods with many attacks of extremely severe headaches. Patients often must take preventive medication every day for years. But in some cases, drugs do no good.
Researchers have tried using brain stimulation before but it targeted a region called the posterior hypothalamus. Patients risk developing a fatal hemorrhage.
Techniques that stimulate the occipital nerve have been tested on other types of headaches.
Goadsby and colleagues tested the technique on eight patients with chronic cluster headaches that defied medications. After more than a year and a half, six of the eight said they would recommend the treatment to others.
Symptoms returned almost immediately when the device's battery wore down and it stopped working, the researchers said.
In the second report, Jean Schoenen and colleagues from the Headache Research Unit of Belgium's Liege University tested eight patients separately.
Two patients had no pain after 16 months and 22 months, respectively, and three more said they had 90 percent fewer headaches.
Only one patient switched off his stimulator after four months because he said it did not work.
In a commentary, Anna Ambrosini of the Headache Clinic at Neuromed in Pozzilli, Italy, said stimulating the hypothalamus got better results, but the new approach was worth testing in a larger group of patients
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thebbz
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Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
« Reply #1 on: Mar 8th, 2007, 3:11pm » |
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DBS, I would rather eat barbed wire and poop spikes. 
It would have to be chronic hell to get me to do that.
I'm episodic so its not an option for me.
jb
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Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
« Reply #2 on: Mar 8th, 2007, 7:14pm » |
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This is not the Deep Brain Stimulation that they're talking about. This is Occipital Nerve Stimulation, an invasive procedure. I had it done and it didn't help. The electricity wasn't deep enough to interfere with a cluster headache. (for me). 
Glad to hear it's working for some.
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thebbz
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Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
« Reply #3 on: Mar 8th, 2007, 8:35pm » |
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My bad!  still bad
jb
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Lobster
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Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
« Reply #4 on: Mar 9th, 2007, 3:28am » |
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If I were in an episode I would allow them to drive railroad spikes into my skull and hook jumper cables to them.
In a heartbeat. Glad someone is doing research into this.
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thebbz
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Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
« Reply #5 on: Mar 9th, 2007, 2:08pm » |
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Quote:If I were in an episode I would allow them to drive railroad spikes into my skull and hook jumper cables to them.
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I second that, Rock.
jb
A little trex jab in the temple has crossed my mind.
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tanner
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Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
« Reply #6 on: Mar 9th, 2007, 3:30pm » |
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Anybody know where I might be able to try this?
...............Tim
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I AM THE MASTER OF MY MIND, MY BODY, AND MY EMOTIONS...
it's just my head that sucks...http://www.centerforlit.com/
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LeLimey
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Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
« Reply #7 on: Mar 9th, 2007, 3:35pm » |
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I do believe BobP mentioned a doctor in Scottsdale AZ Tim - you might want to check with him
Helen
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Gator
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Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
« Reply #8 on: Mar 9th, 2007, 3:38pm » |
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I believe BobP said Dr Dodick was doing it at the Mayo in Scottsdale, AZ.
Edited to add: (((Helen)))
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| « Last Edit: Mar 9th, 2007, 3:42pm by Gator » |
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tanner
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Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
« Reply #9 on: Mar 9th, 2007, 3:49pm » |
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Thanks Helen and Mike 
I think this is something I need to look into........Tim
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it's just my head that sucks...http://www.centerforlit.com/
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Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
« Reply #10 on: Mar 9th, 2007, 8:41pm » |
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Dr. Todd Rozen @ MHNI or Dr. David Black @ Mayo
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