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The use of focused ultrasound for the treatment of cutaneous allodynia associated with chronic migraine

Walling I, Panse D, Gee L, Maietta T, Kaszuba B, Kumar V, Gannon S, Hellman A et al.

Brain research, 2018

Abstract

Chronic migraines (CM) are the third most common disease and are refractory to medical treatment in 15% of patients. Currently, temporary relief is achieved with steroid blocks or pulsed radiofrequency ablation, which have short-term benefits. Our project aims to develop a non-invasive treatment for medically refractory chronic migraine, which does not require a permanent implant. This project investigates the safety and effectiveness of pulsed focused ultrasound (FUS) in a validated rodent headache model of cutaneous allodynia associated with chronic migraine (CM) as compared to sumatriptan and ablative lesioning. We demonstrate a significant reduction in mechanical thresholds as measured through Von Frey filaments in CM in the forepaw and periorbital region (p < 0.001). Sumatriptan and pulsed FUS both significantly improve thresholds at day 3 after treatment in the periorbital region. Ablative lesioning has no effect. This study provides initial evidence that FUS may provide an important therapeutic option for patients suffering from CM.

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