Archive for March, 2010

The Migraine Brain, Dr Carolyn Bernstein

Saturday, March 20th, 2010

In March 2010 I was contacted via this blog and asked to review a new book, The Migraine Brain, by Dr Carolyn Bernstein and Elaine McArdle.

The accompanying pre-publication material explains how this book helps prevent and treat your migraine:

  • Collates the latest research on why you get a migraine
  • Explains how the brain chemistry of migraine sufferers differs, and why migraines occur
  • Interactive approach with quizzes, graphics and fun facts
  • Encourages you to take charge of your own illness and helps you develop a customized wellness plan
  • Separate chapter for men and migraine
  • Chapter on the role of female hormones in triggering migraine attacks, including migraines in pregnancy and migraine after the menopause
  • Discusses new migraine drugs together with alternative therapies

Having completed my review of The Migraine Brain, I am pleased to give this book my recommendation. You learn more about it from the Amazon link below.


Who is Dr Carolyn Bernstein?

Dr Carolyn Bernstein is an assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, and has founded her own clinic.  Co-author Elain McArdle is an award-winning journalist.  Both are migraine sufferers.

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Migraine Relief at the Push of a Button

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

A study published in The Lancet has found that a hand-held gadget, about the size and weight of a hair-drier could bring migraine relief to sufferers at the push of a button.

Developed by Californian firm Neuralieve, the gadget delivers a magnetic stimulus to the back of the head and interrupts the pain and other symptoms associated with migraine, by calming the over-excited brain cells causing the attack.

Researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New Yorks tested the safety and efficacy of the device on 200 male and female migraine sufferers. Half used the actual device, and the other half (placebo group) used dummy equipment. Everyone was instructed to use the device as soon as symptoms started and take note of how long it was before they experienced relief.

40% of the sufferers with the real device were pain-free within two hours compared to 22% of those in the placebo group. There were no serious side effects, and participants found the device easy to use.

Before the device is available to the general public more research is required to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.

The expected cost will be about £1,000.

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