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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies find
        
(Message started by: lmarkins on Mar 8^th, 2007, 2:00pm)

Title: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies find
Post by lmarkins on Mar 8^th, 2007, 2:00pm

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

Title: Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
Post by thebbz on Mar 8^th, 2007, 3:11pm

DBS, I would rather eat barbed wire and poop spikes. [smiley=laugh.gif]
It would have to be chronic hell to get me to do that.
I'm episodic so its not an option for me.
jb

Title: Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
Post by UN solved on Mar 8^th, 2007, 7:14pm

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.

UNsolved

Title: Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
Post by thebbz on Mar 8^th, 2007, 8:35pm

My bad! ;;D still bad
jb

Title: Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
Post by Lobster on Mar 9^th, 2007, 3:28am

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.

Title: Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
Post by thebbz on Mar 9^th, 2007, 2:08pm

Quote:

If I were in an episode I would allow them to drive railroad spikes into my skull and hook jumper cables to them.

I second that, Rock.
jb
A little trex jab in the temple has crossed my mind.

Title: Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
Post by tanner on Mar 9^th, 2007, 3:30pm

Anybody know where I might be able to try this?

...............Tim

Title: Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
Post by LeLimey on Mar 9^th, 2007, 3:35pm

I do believe BobP mentioned a doctor in Scottsdale AZ Tim - you might want to check with him
Helen

Title: Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
Post by Gator on Mar 9^th, 2007, 3:38pm

I believe BobP said Dr Dodick was doing it at the Mayo in Scottsdale, AZ.

Edited to add: (((Helen))) ;;D

Title: Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
Post by tanner on Mar 9^th, 2007, 3:49pm

Thanks Helen and Mike :)

I think this is something I need to look into........Tim

Title: Re: Brain stimulation may ease headaches, studies
Post by UN solved on Mar 9^th, 2007, 8:41pm

Dr. Todd Rozen @ MHNI or Dr. David Black @ Mayo

UNsolved