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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
10:39
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
A clinical study of migraine evolution.
William Pryse-Phillips1, Michel Aubé, Peter Bailey
1Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
Headache
|November 23, 2006
Summary
Migraine attacks can last over 72 hours and have delayed pain buildup in 10% of patients. Nausea frequently interferes with oral medication, but treatments remain effective for most migraine sufferers.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Neuroscience
- Headache Medicine
Background:
- Migraine headache duration and buildup time are not well-defined in existing literature.
- Some patients experience migraines exceeding 72 hours, necessitating further investigation.
- Understanding these factors can optimize therapeutic strategies for migraine management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate the buildup time and duration of migraine headaches in a clinical setting.
- To assess the impact of nausea on oral medication efficacy.
- To compare migraine characteristics in patients with and without aura.
Main Methods:
- Prospective data collection from 253 patients with International Headache Society (IHS) defined migraine.
- Utilized questionnaires completed by patients consulting Canadian headache specialists.
- Data were electronically transmitted, tabulated, and statistically analyzed.
Main Results:
- Nausea occurred in over 90% of migraine cases, particularly those with aura, hindering oral medication intake in approximately 25% of patients.
- Migraine pain buildup to severe levels was under 2 hours in most patients (97% with aura, 86% without aura), but delayed in over 10% of cases.
- While most migraines lasted 4-72 hours, over 20% of patients experienced pain exceeding 72 hours, with disability persisting for over 3 days in a significant portion.
Conclusions:
- Real-world migraine attacks often deviate from IHS criteria, featuring more frequent nausea impacting oral therapy, longer durations (>72 hours), and delayed pain progression (>2 hours in 10%).
- Despite these variations, current therapeutic regimens are effective for a substantial majority of migraine patients.
- The study highlights the need to consider prolonged migraine duration and delayed onset in clinical assessments and treatment planning.
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