Focused Update on Migraine and Vertigo Comorbidity.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an update on comorbidity of vestibular symptoms and migraine. RECENT FINDINGS: Multisensory processing and integration is a key concept for understanding mixed presentation of migraine and vestibular symptoms. Here, we discuss how vestibular migraine should be distinguished from a secondary migraine phenomenon in which migraine symptoms may coincide with or triggered by another vestibular disorder. We also have some updates on the diagnostic criteria of vestibular migraine, its pathophysiology, and common approaches used for its treatment. As a common clinical presentation of migraine and vestibular symptoms, vestibular migraine should be distinguished from a secondary migraine phenomenon, in which migraine symptoms may be triggered by or coincide with another vestibular disorder. Recent experimental evidence suggests vestibular symptoms in vestibular migraine are linked to multisensory mechanisms that control body motion and orientation in space.

Update in migraine preventive treatment.

Migraine is a prevalent disorder with high disability and socioeconomic costs. Preventive treatment has been shown to decrease headache frequency, improve quality of life and minimize the medical expenses. Although many medications have been proved effective, they are underutilized. For the past several years, significant progress has been made with the emerging options of calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies and antagonists. The choices of these medications depend on not only the evidences of effects and possible side effects of the medications but also comorbidities, preferences and even special considerations of the individual patient such as breast feeding and reproduction.

Vestibular migraine: An update on current understanding and future directions.

BACKGROUND: Vestibular migraine is among the most common causes of recurrent vertigo in the general population. Despite its prevalence and high impact on healthcare cost and utilization, it has remained an under-recognized condition with largely unknown pathophysiology. In the present article, we aim to provide an overview of the current understanding of vestibular migraine. METHODS: We undertook a narrative literature review on the epidemiology, presentations, clinical and laboratory findings, pathophysiology, and treatments of vestibular migraine. RESULTS: Currently, the diagnosis of vestibular migraine relies solely on clinical symptoms since clinical tests of vestibular function are typically normal, or difficult to interpret based on inconsistent results reported in earlier studies. The challenges related to diagnosis of vestibular migraine lie in its relatively broad spectrum of manifestations, the absence of typical migraine headaches with vestibular symptoms, and its very recent definition as a distinct entity. Here, we highlight these challenges, discuss common vestibular symptoms and clinical presentations in vestibular migraine, and review the current aspects of its clinical diagnosis and evaluation. The concepts related to the pathophysiology and treatment of vestibular migraine are also discussed. CONCLUSION: Vestibular migraine is still underdiagnosed clinically. Future studies are needed to address the pathophysiological mechanisms and investigate effective treatment regimens.

Medical Treatment Guidelines for Preventive Treatment of Migraine.

The Treatment Guideline Subcommittee of the Taiwan Headache Society evaluated the medications currently used for migraine prevention in Taiwan. We assessed the results of new published drug trials, information from medical database and referred to the latest guidelines published. After comprehensive discussion, we proposed Taiwanese consensus about the preventive treatment for migraine including recommendation levels, strength of evidences, and related prescription information regarding dosage and adverse effects. This guideline is updated from earlier version published in 2008. Migraine preventive medications currently available in Taiwan can be categorized into ß-blockers, antidepressants, calcium channel blockers, anticonvulsants, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, OnabotulinumtoxinA and miscellaneous medications. Propranolol has the best level of evidence and fewer side-effects, and is recommended as the first-line medication for episodic migraine prevention. Valproic acid, topiramate, flunarizine and amitriptyline are suggested as the second-line medications. The rest medications are used when the above medications fail. OnabotulinumtoxinA and topiramate are recommended for chronic migraine prevention. Those other medications used for episodic migraine could also be used as a second-line option. It is not recommended to use migraine preventive medication during pregnancy or lactation. For those women with menstrual migraine, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs and triptans can be used for prevention during the menstrual period. The levels of evidences for migraine preventive medications in children/adolescents and elderly are low. The preventive medications should follow the "start low and go slow" doctrine to reach an effective dosage. This can prevent adverse events and improve tolerance. The efficacy of preventive medications cannot be evaluated until 3 to 4 weeks after treatment. If the improvement of migraine maintains for 6 months, physicians can gradually taper the medications. Physicians should notify the patients not to overuse acute medications during migraine prevention treatment.