Prevalence and burden of migraine in the United States: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: This study reviewed migraine prevalence and disability gathered through epidemiologic survey studies in the United States conducted over the past three decades. We summarized these studies and evaluated changing patterns of disease prevalence and disability. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of US studies addressing the prevalence, disability, and/or burden of migraine, including both episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM). A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol was used in conjunction with the PubMed search engine. Eligible studies were published before February 2022, were conducted in the United States, included representative samples, and used a case definition of migraine based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD). The primary measure of disease burden was the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS). The MIDAS measures days lost due to migraine over 3 months in three domains and defines groups with moderate (Grade III) or severe disability (Grade IV) using cut-scores. RESULTS: Of the 1609 identified records, 26 publications from 11 US population-based studies met eligibility criteria. The prevalence of migraine in the population has remained relatively consistent for the past 30 years: ranging from 11.7% to 14.7% overall, 17.1% to 19.2% in women, and 5.6% to 7.2% in men in the studies reviewed. CM prevalence is 0.91% (1.3% among women and 0.5% of men) in adults and 0.8% in adolescents. The proportion of people with migraine and moderate-to-severe MIDAS disability (Grades III-IV), has trended upward across studies from 22.0% in 2005 to 39.0% in 2012, to 43.2% in 2016, and 42.4% in 2018. A consistently higher proportion of women were assigned MIDAS Grades III/IV relative to men. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of migraine in the United States has remained stable over the past three decades while migraine-related disability has increased. The disability trend could reflect changes in reporting, study methodology, social and societal changes, or changes in exacerbating or remediating factors that make migraine more disabling, among other hypotheses. These issues merit further investigation.

Characterizing gaps in the preventive pharmacologic treatment of migraine: Multi-country results from the CaMEO-I study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze data from the Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes-International (CaMEO-I) Study in order to characterize preventive medication use and identify preventive usage gaps among people with migraine across multiple countries. BACKGROUND: Guidelines for the preventive treatment of migraine are available from scientific organizations in various countries. Although these guidelines differ among countries, eligibility for preventive treatment is generally based on monthly headache day (MHD) frequency and associated disability. The overwhelming majority of people with migraine who are eligible for preventive treatment do not receive it. METHODS: The CaMEO-I Study was a cross-sectional, observational, web-based panel survey study performed in six countries: Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. People were invited to complete an online survey in their national language(s) to identify those with migraine according to modified International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition, criteria. People classified with migraine answered questions about current and ever use of both acute and preventive treatments for migraine. Available preventive medications for migraine differed by country. MHD frequency and associated disability data were collected. The American Headache Society (AHS) 2021 Consensus Statement algorithm was used to determine candidacy for preventive treatment (i.e., ≥3 monthly MHDs with severe disability, ≥4 MHDs with some disability, or ≥6 MHDs regardless of level of disability). RESULTS: Among 90,613 valid completers of the screening survey, 14,492 met criteria for migraine and completed the full survey, with approximately 2400 respondents from each country. Based on the AHS consensus statement preventive treatment candidacy algorithm, averaging across countries, 36.2% (5246/14,492) of respondents with migraine qualified for preventive treatment. Most respondents (84.5% [4431/5246]) who met criteria for preventive treatment according to the AHS consensus statement were not using a preventive medication at the time of the survey. Moreover, 19.3% (2799/14,492) of respondents had ever used preventive medication (ever users); 58.1% (1625/2799) of respondents who reported ever using a preventive medication for migraine were still taking it. Of the respondents who were currently using a preventive medication, 50.2% (815/1625) still met the criteria for needing preventive treatment based on the AHS consensus statement. CONCLUSIONS: Most people with migraine who qualify for preventive treatment are not currently taking it. Additionally, many people currently taking preventive pharmacologic treatment still meet the algorithm criteria for needing preventive treatment, suggesting inadequate benefit from their current regimen.

Lifestyle and incident dementia: A COSMIC individual participant data meta­analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The LIfestyle for BRAin Health (LIBRA) index yields a dementia risk score based on modifiable lifestyle factors and is validated in Western samples. We investigated whether the association between LIBRA scores and incident dementia is moderated by geographical location or sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: We combined data from 21 prospective cohorts across six continents (N = 31,680) and conducted cohort-specific Cox proportional hazard regression analyses in a two-step individual participant data meta-analysis. RESULTS: A one-standard-deviation increase in LIBRA score was associated with a 21% higher risk for dementia. The association was stronger for Asian cohorts compared to European cohorts, and for individuals aged ≤75 years (vs older), though only within the first 5 years of follow-up. No interactions with sex, education, or socioeconomic position were observed. DISCUSSION: Modifiable risk and protective factors appear relevant for dementia risk reduction across diverse geographical and sociodemographic groups. HIGHLIGHTS: A two-step individual participant data meta-analysis was conducted. This was done at a global scale using data from 21 ethno-regionally diverse cohorts. The association between a modifiable dementia risk score and dementia was examined. The association was modified by geographical region and age at baseline. Yet, modifiable dementia risk and protective factors appear relevant in all investigated groups and regions.

Elevated blood homocysteine increases the risk of incident Motoric Cognitive Risk syndrome: A two cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Motoric Cognitive Risk (MCR) syndrome, a pre-dementia syndrome characterized by cognitive complaints and slow gait, may have an underlying vascular etiology. Elevated blood levels of homocysteine, a known vascular risk factor, have been linked to physical and cognitive decline in older adults, though the relationship with MCR is unknown. We aimed to identify the association between homocysteine and MCR risk. METHODS: We examined the association between baseline homocysteine levels and incident MCR using Cox proportional hazard models in 1,826 community-dwelling older adults (55% female) from two cohorts (Einstein Aging Study [EAS] and Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging [NuAge]). We calculated hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), for each cohort as well as stratified by sex and vascular disease/risk factors. RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 2.2 years in EAS and 3.0 years in NuAge. Individuals with elevated baseline homocysteine levels (> 14 µmol/L) had a significantly higher risk of incident MCR compared to those with normal levels in NuAge (HR 1.41, 95% CI = 1.01-1.97, p = .04), after adjusting for covariates. Our exploratory stratified analyses found that these associations were significant only in men with vascular disease/risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Higher blood homocysteine levels are associated with increased risk of developing MCR in older adults, particularly in men with vascular disease or vascular risk factors.

Association Between Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Interval Neurocognitive Decline: An Analysis of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia, are associated with cognitive decline later in life among U.S. Hispanic/Latina individuals. METHODS: The HCHS/SOL (Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos) is a prospective population-based study of Hispanic/Latino individuals aged 18-74 years from four U.S. communities. This analysis included parous individuals aged 45 years or older who participated in the HCHS/SOL clinic study visit 1 (2008-2011) neurocognitive assessment and subsequently completed a repeat neurocognitive assessment as part of the Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging ancillary study visit 2 (2015-2018). Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were assessed retrospectively by self-report of any gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, or eclampsia. Cognitive functioning was measured at both study visits with the Brief Spanish-English Verbal Learning Test, Digit Symbol Substitution, and Word Fluency. A regression-based approach was used to define cognitive decline at visit 2 as a function of cognition at visit 1 after adjustment for age, education, and follow-up time. Linear regression models were used to determine whether hypertensive disorders of pregnancy or their component diagnoses were associated with standardized cognitive decline after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, clinical and behavioral risk factors, and follow-up time. RESULTS: Among 3,554 individuals included in analysis, the mean age was 56.2 years, and 467 of individuals (13.4%) reported at least one hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Individuals with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy compared with those without were more likely to have higher mean systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, and body mass index. After an average of 7 years of follow-up, in fully adjusted models, gestational hypertension was associated with a 0.17-SD relative decline in Digit Symbol Substitution scores (95% CI, -0.31 to -0.04) but not other cognitive domains (Brief Spanish-English Verbal Learning Test or Word Fluency). Neither preeclampsia nor eclampsia was associated with neurocognitive differences. CONCLUSION: The presence of preeclampsia or eclampsia was not associated with interval neurocognitive decline. In this cohort of U.S. Hispanic/Latina individuals, gestational hypertension alone was associated with decreased processing speed and executive functioning later in life.

Normative data for the Digit Symbol Substitution for diverse Hispanic/Latino adults: Results from the Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA).

INTRODUCTION: Executive functioning and processing speed are crucial elements of neuropsychological assessment. To meet the needs of the Hispanic/Latino population, we aimed to provide normative data for the Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS) test. METHODS: The target population for the Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging included six heritage backgrounds (n = 6177). Average age was 63.4 ± 8.3 years, 54.5% were female, and mean education was 11.0 ± 4.7 years. Participants were administered the DSS as part of a larger battery. Heritage-adjusted DSS scores, and percentile cut-points were created using survey-adjusted regression and quantile regression models. RESULTS: Age, education, sex, heritage, and language preference were associated with DSS scores. DISCUSSION: Significant correlates of DSS performance should be considered when evaluating cognitive performance. Representative DSS norms for Hispanics/Latinos will advance assessment and accuracy of neurocognitive disorder diagnosis in clinical practice. To facilitate interpretation, we provide norms to reduce test biases and developed an online dashboard. Highlights: Normative data for the Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS) for diverse Hispanic/Latino adults: Results from the Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA) This study is the first to develop norms for the DSS test across four regions of the United States.Factors such as age, education, sex, and Hispanic/Latino heritage and language preference are associated with differences in executive functioning and information processing speed.We created norms and an online dashboard (https://solincalab.shinyapps.io/dsst_shiny/) providing an easily accessible tool to evaluate processing speed and executive functioning in Hispanic/Latino adults.

Glycemic Control, Cognitive Aging, and Impairment Among Diverse Hispanics/Latinos: Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos).

OBJECTIVE: Hispanics/Latinos in the United States have the highest prevalence of undiagnosed and untreated diabetes and are at increased risk for cognitive impairment. In this study, we examine glycemic control in relation to cognitive aging and impairment in a large prospective cohort of middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos of diverse heritages. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA) is a Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) ancillary study. HCHS/SOL is a multisite (Bronx, NY; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; and San Diego, CA), probability sampled prospective cohort study. SOL-INCA enrolled 6,377 diverse Hispanics/Latinos age 50 years and older (2016-2018). The primary outcomes were cognitive function, 7-year cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The primary glycemia exposure variables were measured from fasting blood samples collected at HCHS/SOL visit 1 (2008-2011). RESULTS: Visit 1 mean age was 56.5 years ± 8.2 SD, and the average glycosylated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) was 6.12% (43.5 ± 14.6 mmol/mol). After covariates adjustment, higher HbA1c was associated with accelerated 7-year global (b = -0.045; 95% CI = -0.070; -0.021; in z-score units) and executive cognitive decline, and a higher prevalence of MCI (odds ratio = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.11;1.29). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated HbA1c levels were associated with 7-year executive cognitive decline and increased MCI risk among diverse middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos. Our findings indicate that poor glycemic control in midlife may pose significant risks for cognitive decline and MCI later in life among Hispanics/Latinos of diverse heritages.

Preventive Treatment of Migraine.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes strategies for the preventive treatment of migraine including the emerging role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-targeted therapies and introduces novel paradigms for the preventive treatment of migraine. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Multiple migraine medications targeting CGRP have been introduced since 2018, including injectable monoclonal antibodies (ie, eptinezumab, erenumab, fremanezumab, and galcanezumab) and oral small-molecule CGRP receptor antagonists (ie, ubrogepant, rimegepant, atogepant, and zavegepant). With the exceptions of ubrogepant and zavegepant, which are approved only as acute treatments, all of these agents have demonstrated efficacy in the preventive treatment of migraine; the monoclonal antibodies and atogepant have evidence of effectiveness in adults with either episodic or chronic migraine. The safety and tolerability profiles of CGRP-targeted therapies in migraine are favorable. ESSENTIAL POINTS: The goals of preventive migraine therapy include reducing the frequency, severity, duration, and disability associated with attacks, reducing the need for acute treatment and the risk of medication overuse, enhancing self-efficacy and health-related quality of life, and reducing headache-related distress and interictal burden. Six drugs targeting CGRP (four monoclonal antibodies and two gepants) are now available for the preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults. The efficacy of CGRP-targeted medications in the acute and preventive treatment of migraine, together with good safety and tolerability, has led to the emergence of new approaches to preventive treatment.

A multicenter, open-label long-term safety study of rimegepant for the acute treatment of migraine.

BACKGROUND: The present study evaluated the long-term safety and tolerability of rimegepant, an orally administered small molecule calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, in people with migraine. METHODS: This multicenter, long-term, open-label safety study included adults (≥18 years) with ≥1 year history of migraine who were sequentially enrolled into three groups: participants in the first two groups had either 2-8 or 9-14 moderate to severe migraine attacks per month by history and treated as needed (pro re nata [PRN]) with one rimegepant 75 mg oral tablet up to once per calendar day for 52 weeks (PRN 2-8 and PRN 9-14); a third group, included to collect safety data during higher-frequency dosing, had 4-14 moderate to severe migraine attacks per month by history and who took one rimegepant tablet every other day as scheduled dosing plus PRN dosing of one rimegepant tablet for migraine attacks of any severity on nonscheduled dosing days for 12 weeks (every other day (EOD) + PRN). RESULTS: Overall, 1800 participants self-administered rimegepant (PRN 2-8: n = 1033; PRN 9-14: n = 481; EOD + PRN: n = 286). The most common on-treatment adverse events (AEs) were upper respiratory tract infection (8.8%), nasopharyngitis (6.8%) and sinusitis (5.1%). Most AEs were mild or moderate and considered unrelated to rimegepant. Serious AEs considered possibly (n = 1) or unlikely (n = 9) related to rimegepant were reported in ten (0.6%) participants. No signal of drug-induced liver injury because of rimegepant was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Rimegepant 75 mg up to once per day as EOD + PRN for 12 weeks or PRN for up to 52 weeks was safe and well tolerated. No signal of hepatotoxicity, potential drug abuse, or medication-overuse headache was identified.Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03266588.

Application of a Novel Endpoint Staging Framework: Proof of Concept in the AMBAR Study.

Background: A theoretical endpoint staging framework was previously developed and published, aligning outcomes (i.e., memory) to the stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in which a given outcome is most relevant (i.e., has the greatest risk of degradation). The framework guides the selection of endpoints measuring outcomes relevant within a target AD population. Here, a proof of concept is presented via post-hoc analyses of the Alzheimer Management by Albumin Replacement (AMBAR) Phase 2b clinical trial in patients with AD (NCT01561053, 2012). Objective: To evaluate whether aligning endpoints measuring cognition, function, and quality of life to hypothesized 'target' stages of AD yields magnitudes of treatment efficacy greater than those reported in the AMBAR full analysis set (FAS). Methods: Three endpoints were tested: ADAS-Cog 12, ADCS-ADL, and QoL-AD. The magnitude of treatment efficacy was hypothesized to be maximized in the target stages of mild, mild-to-moderate, and very mild AD, respectively, compared to the full analysis set (FAS) and non-target stages. Results: For ADAS-Cog 12, the magnitude of treatment efficacy was largest in the non-target stage (-4.0, p = 0.0760) compared to target stage and FAS. For ADCS-ADL and QoL-AD, the magnitude of treatment efficacy was largest in the target stage (14.2, p = 0.0003; 2.4, p < 0.0001, respectively) compared to non-target stage and FAS. Conclusions: Findings indicated that evaluating endpoints in the most relevant AD stage can increase the magnitude of the observed treatment efficacy. Evidence provides preliminary proof of concept for the endpoint staging framework.

Guidelines of the International Headache Society for controlled trials of pharmacological preventive treatment for persistent post-traumatic headache attributed to mild traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Persistent headache attributed to traumatic injury to the head is divided into two subtypes, one attributed to moderate or severe traumatic injury and another attributed to mild traumatic injury (i.e., concussion). The latter is much more prevalent, in part because more than 90% of cases with traumatic brain injury are classified as mild. The pathophysiology of persistent post-traumatic headache is poorly understood and the underlying mechanisms are likely multifactorial. There is currently no approved treatment specifically for persistent post-traumatic headache, and management strategies rely on medications used for migraine or tension-type headache. Therefore, high-quality trials are urgently needed to support clinical decision-making and optimize management strategies. International guidelines can facilitate appropriate trial design and ensure the acquisition of high-quality data evaluating the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of available and novel pharmacological therapies for the preventive treatment of persistent post-traumatic headache. METHODS: The development of this guideline was based on a literature review of available studies in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, along with a review of previously published guidelines for controlled trials of preventive treatment for episodic and chronic migraine. The identified literature was critically appraised, and due to the scarcity of scientific evidence, recommendations were primarily based on the consensus of experts in the field. OBJECTIVE: To provide guidelines for designing state-of-the-art controlled clinical trials aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of preventive treatments for persistent post-traumatic headache attributed to mild traumatic brain injury.

Evaluation of outcomes of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-targeting therapies for acute and preventive migraine treatment based on patient sex.

BACKGROUND: Women show increased prevalence and severity of migraine compared to men. Whether small molecule calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor (CGRP-R) antagonists (i.e., gepants) and monoclonal antibodies targeting either the CGRP-R or the CGRP peptide might show sexually dimorphic outcomes for acute and preventive therapy has not been established. METHODS: We conducted a subpopulation analysis of available published data from FDA reviews to evaluate potential sex differences in the response rates of ubrogepant, rimegepant and zavegepant for acute migraine therapy. Available data from FDA reviews of erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab and eptinezumab, approved CGRP-R and CGRP monoclonal antibodies and of atogepant were examined for prevention outcomes based on patient sex. Preventive outcomes were analyzed separately for patients with episodic migraine and chronic migraine. RESULTS: In women, the three approved gepants produced statistically significant drug effects regardless of dose tested on the FDA mandated co-primary endpoints, the proportion of patients achieving two-hour pain-freedom and the proportion of patients free of their most bothersome symptom at two hours post-dose. In women, the average placebo-subtracted two-hour pain-freedom proportion was 9.5% (CI: 7.4 to 11.6) and the average numbers needed to treat was 11. The free from most bothersome symptom at two hours outcomes were also significant in women. The gepant drugs did not reach statistically significant effects on the two-hour pain-freedom endpoint in the men, with an average drug effect of 2.8% (CI: -2.5 to 8.2) and an average number needed to treat of 36. For freedom from most bothersome symptom at two hours post-dose endpoint, differences were not significant in male patients. The treatment effect in each of the gepant studies was always numerically greater in women than in men. In evaluation of prevention outcomes with the antibodies or atogepant using the change from the specified primary endpoint (e.g., monthly migraine days), the observed treatment effect for episodic migraine patients almost always favored drug over placebo in both women and men. For chronic migraine patients the treatment effects of antibodies were similar in men and women and always favored the drug treated group.Conclusion/Interpretation: Small molecule CGRP-R antagonists are effective in acute migraine therapy in women but available data do not demonstrate effectiveness in men. CGRP-targeting therapies are effective for migraine prevention in both male and female episodic migraine patients but possible sex differences remain uncertain. In male and female chronic migraine patients, CGRP/CGRP-R antibodies were similarly effective. The data highlight possible differential effects of CGRP targeted therapies in different patient populations and the need for increased understanding of CGRP neurobiology in men and women.

Bioequivalence of rimegepant, a small molecule CGRP receptor antagonist, administered as an oral tablet, a sublingual orally disintegrating tablet, and a supralingual orally disintegrating tablet: two phase 1 randomized studies in healthy adults.

BACKGROUND: Rimegepant is an orally administered small molecule calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist indicated for the acute and preventive treatment of migraine. METHODS: Two single-center, phase 1, open-label, randomized bioequivalence studies were conducted in healthy adult non-smokers, aged 18-55 years. One study compared the rate and extent of absorption of the marketed formulation of rimegepant 75 mg orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) administered sublingually with rimegepant 75 mg oral tablet, an earlier development formulation; the second compared the rate and extent of absorption of 75 mg rimegepant ODT administered supralingually with rimegepant oral tablet. RESULTS: The ln-transformed geometric mean ratios for the area under the curve (AUC) from time 0 to the last available concentration time point (time t) (AUC0-t), AUC from time 0 to infinity (AUC0-inf), and maximum observed concentration (Cmax) of sublingual rimegepant ODT vs. rimegepant tablet were 97, 97, and 105%, respectively, and the 90% confidence intervals (CIs) were all within the predefined range (80-125%) for bioequivalence. The ln-transformed geometric mean ratios for the AUC0-t and AUC0-inf of supralingual rimegepant ODT vs. rimegepant tablet were 98%, the 90% CIs were within the predefined range (80-125%), and the geometric mean ratio for Cmax was 103% with the 95% upper confidence bound for the scaled average bioequivalence criterion of -0.0575 (within-participant coefficient of variation for the reference for Cmax > 30%) for bioequivalence. CONCLUSIONS: Rimegepant 75 mg ODT, administered sublingually or supralingually, and rimegepant 75 mg oral tablet were bioequivalent.

Health care resource utilization and costs associated with diagnosed medication overuse headache and potential acute medication overuse in individuals with migraine.

OBJECTIVE: Estimate health care resource utilization and costs associated with medication overuse headache and potential acute medication overuse. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted with Clinformatics Data Mart data (1 January 2019-31 December 2019) that included continuously enrolled commercially insured adults with migraine (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-10-CM] code G43.xxx). Medication overuse headache was defined as ≥1 inpatient or ≥2 outpatient claims with an ICD-10-CM code G44.41/40 (drug-induced headache). Potential acute medication overuse was defined as possessing sufficient medication for >10 mean treatment days/month for ergots, triptans, opioids, or combination analgesics or >15 mean cumulative days/month for simple prescription analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen, aspirin, other non-opioid analgesics) for >6 consecutive months. All-cause and migraine-related health care resource utilization and costs were compared after adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Among 90,017 individuals with migraine, the frequency of medication overuse headache/potential acute medication overuse was 12.6% (diagnosed medication overuse headache: 0.6%; potential acute medication overuse: 12.1%). Adjusted all-cause total costs ($31,235 vs $21,486; difference: $9,749 [P < 0.001]) and adjusted migraine-related total costs ($9,770 vs $6,207; difference: $3,563 [P < 0.001]) were higher in the medication overuse headache/potential acute medication overuse group versus those without medication overuse headache/potential acute medication overuse. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with diagnosed medication overuse headache/potential acute medication overuse had higher all-cause and migraine-related health care resource utilization and costs versus individuals without medication overuse headache/potential acute medication overuse, suggesting that improved migraine management is needed to reduce associated costs.

"Cognitive" Criteria in Older Adults With Slow Gait Speed: Implications for Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is a predementia condition that combines slow gait speed and subjective cognitive concerns (SCC). The SCC criterion is presently unstandardized, possibly limiting risk detection. We sought to (a) characterize SCC practices through MCR literature review; (b) investigate the ability of SCC in slow gait individuals in predicting the likelihood of cognitive impairment in a demographically diverse sample of community-dwelling, nondemented older adults. METHODS: First, we comprehensively reviewed the MCR literature, extracting information regarding SCC measures, items, sources, and cognitive domain. Next, Einstein Aging Study (EAS) participants (N = 278, Mage = 77.22 ±â€…4.74, %female = 67, Meducation = 15 ±â€…3.61, %non-Hispanic White = 46.3) completed gait, Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR), and SCC assessment at baseline and annual follow-up (Mfollow-up = 3.5). Forty-two participants met slow gait criteria at baseline. Generalized linear mixed-effects models examined baseline SCC to predict cognitive impairment on CDR over follow-up. RESULTS: We reviewed all published MCR studies (N = 106) and documented ambiguity in SCC criteria, with a prevalent approach being use of a single self-reported memory item. In EAS, high SCC endorsement on a comprehensive, validated screen significantly affected the rate of cognitive impairment (CDR; ßinteraction = 0.039, p = .018) in slow gait individuals. CONCLUSIONS: An assessment approach that queries across numerous SCC domains was found to predict future decline in clinical dementia status in slow gait older adults. Current SCC practices in MCR, which tend to utilize a single-memory item, may not be the optimal approach. We discuss the implications of SCC criteria validation and standardization to enhance early dementia detection in MCR.

Plasma Biomarkers as Predictors of Progression to Dementia in Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background: Blood-based biomarkers (BBMs) are of growing interest in the field of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias. Objective: This study aimed to assess the ability of plasma biomarkers to 1) predict disease progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia and 2) improve the predictive ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) measures when combined. Methods: We used data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Machine learning models were trained using the data from participants who remained cognitively stable (CN-s) and with Dementia diagnosis at 2-year follow-up visit. The models were used to predict progression to dementia in MCI individuals. We assessed the performance of models with plasma biomarkers against those with CSF and MRI measures, and also in combination with them. Results: Our models with plasma biomarkers classified CN-s individuals from AD with an AUC of 0.75±0.03 and could predict conversion to dementia in MCI individuals with an AUC of 0.64±0.03 (17.1% BP, base prevalence). Models with plasma biomarkers performed better when combined with CSF and MRI measures (CN versus AD: AUC of 0.89±0.02; MCI-to-AD: AUC of 0.76±0.03, 21.5% BP). Conclusions: Our results highlight the potential of plasma biomarkers in predicting conversion to dementia in MCI individuals. While plasma biomarkers could improve the predictive ability of CSF and MRI measures when combined, they also show the potential to predict non-progression to AD when considered alone. The predictive ability of plasma biomarkers is crucially linked to reducing the costly and effortful collection of CSF and MRI measures.

A randomized, open-label, 5-period crossover study evaluating the pharmacokinetics and safety of a single dose of intranasal dihydroergotamine (DHE) powder (STS101), intramuscular DHE mesylate, and liquid nasal spray DHE in healthy adults.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) of dihydroergotamine (DHE) after administration of intranasal DHE powder (STS101), liquid nasal spray (LNS) DHE mesylate, and intramuscular (IM) DHE mesylate injection in healthy participants. BACKGROUND: DHE is an effective acute migraine treatment; however, self-administration difficulties have prevented its broader role in the management of migraine. METHODS: This randomized, active-controlled, five-period crossover study was conducted over 5 weeks separated by 1-week washout periods. Three STS101 dosage strengths (5.2, 7.0, 8.6 mg), and one dose each of LNS DHE 2.0 mg, and IM DHE 1.0 mg, were administered to 36 healthy participants. Liquid chromatography, tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine DHE (including its 8'OH-DHE metabolite) plasma levels and to calculate PK parameters (Cmax , Tmax , AUC0-2h , AUC0-last , AUC0-inf , and t1/2 ). Safety was evaluated by monitoring adverse events (AEs), vital signs, electrocardiograms, nasal examinations, and laboratory parameters. RESULTS: Thirty-six participants (mean age 36 years; 19% Hispanic Black and 81% Hispanic White) were enrolled. DHE plasma concentrations rose rapidly after STS101 5.2, 7.0, and 8.6 mg and IM DHE injection, with mean concentrations greater than 2000 pg/mL for all STS101 dose strengths at 20 min. All STS101 dose strengths showed approximately 3-fold higher Cmax , AUC0-2h , and AUC0-inf , than the LNS DHE. The mean AUC0-inf of STS101 7.0 and 8.6 mg were comparable to IM DHE (12,600 and 13,200 vs. 13,400 h × pg/mL). All STS101 dose strengths showed substantially lower variability (CV%) compared to LNS DHE for Cmax (35%-41% vs. 87%), and AUC0-inf (37%-46% vs. 65%). STS101 was well tolerated, and all treatment-emergent AEs were mild and transient. CONCLUSION: STS101 showed rapid absorption and was well tolerated with mild and transient treatment-emergent AEs. Achieving effective DHE plasma concentrations within 10 min, STS101 displayed a favorable PK profile relative to the LNS with higher Cmax , AUC0-2h , and AUC0inf , and with greater response consistency. The AUC0-inf was comparable to IM DHE.

Does the Cognitive Change Index Predict Future Cognitive and Clinical Decline? Longitudinal Analysis in a Demographically Diverse Cohort.

Background: The Cognitive Change Index (CCI) is a widely-used measure of self-perceived cognitive ability and change. Unfortunately, it is unclear if the CCI predicts future cognitive and clinical decline. Objective: We evaluated baseline CCI to predict transition from normal cognition to cognitive impairment in nondemented older adults and in predementia groups including, subjective cognitive decline, motoric cognitive risk syndrome, and mild cognitive impairment. Different versions of the CCI were assessed to uncover any differential risk sensitivity. We also examined the effect of ethnicity/race on CCI. Methods: Einstein Aging Study participants (N = 322, Mage = 77.57±4.96, % female=67.1, Meducation = 15.06±3.54, % non-Hispanic white = 46.3) completed an expanded 40-item CCI version (CCI-40) and neuropsychological evaluation (including Clinical Dementia Rating Scale [CDR], Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Craft Story) at baseline and annual follow-up (Mfollow - up=3.4 years). CCI-40 includes the original 20 items (CCI-20) and the first 12 memory items (CCI-12). Linear mixed effects models (LME) and generalized LME assessed the association of CCI total scores at baseline with rate of decline in neuropsychological tests and CDR. Results: In the overall sample and across predementia groups, the CCI was associated with rate of change in log odds on CDR, with higher CCI at baseline predicting faster increase in the odds of being impaired on CDR. The predictive validity of the CCI broadly held across versions (CCI-12, 20, 40) and ethnic/racial groups (non-Hispanic black and white). Conclusions: Self-perception of cognitive change on the CCI is a useful marker of dementia risk in demographically/clinically diverse nondemented samples. All CCI versions successfully predicted decline.

The impacts of migraine on functioning: Results from two qualitative studies of people living with migraine.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the impact of migraine on functioning based on comprehensive data collection, analysis, and reporting of patients' experiences. BACKGROUND: Qualitative research conducted to understand patients' perspectives on living with migraine has often focused on narrow topics or specific groups of patients or has been selectively reported. METHODS: Qualitative interviews with 71 participants were conducted during two concept elicitation studies as part of the Migraine Clinical Outcome Assessment System (MiCOAS) project, an FDA grant-funded program designed to develop a core set of patient-centered outcome measures for migraine clinical trials. Participants self-reported being diagnosed with migraine by a healthcare professional and participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews about their experiences with the symptoms and impacts of migraine. Interview transcripts were coded to identify and define concepts, which were then grouped into broad domains based on conceptual similarities. RESULTS: A total of 66 concepts were identified: 12 for physical functioning, 16 for cognitive functioning, 10 for social role functioning, 19 for emotional and psychological functioning, and 9 related to migraine management. Participants described a complex and varied relationship between migraine attack symptoms and impacts on functioning. Impacts from migraine were further influenced by numerous contextual factors, such as people's individual social environments and the level of day-to-day demand for functioning they face. CONCLUSION: Findings showed that migraine impacted individual functioning in multiple ways and the nature of these impacts was dependent on social-contextual factors. The results are being used in the development of core measures designed to improve our understanding of the burden of migraine and the efficacy of migraine therapies. The results also offer new insights and raise new questions about migraine experience that can be used to guide future research.