Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache

Published on: June 2, 2014

[Chronic migraine and headache by medication overuse. Evolution and revision of classification]

H Göbel1, A Heinze

  • 1Neurologisch-verhaltensmedizinische Schmerzklinik Kiel, Heikendorfer Weg 9-27, 24149, Kiel, Deutschland. hg@schmerzklinik.de

Schmerz (Berlin, Germany)
|September 13, 2011
PubMed

Insights

The evolution of migraine diagnostic criteria is reviewed, highlighting the shift from episodic attacks to chronic daily headache and transformed migraine. Definitions for chronic migraine and medication overuse headache remain debated.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Headache Medicine

Context:

  • The initial International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-I) defined migraine by attack duration, not frequency.
  • Chronic migraine criteria were introduced later in ICHD-II (2004), acknowledging the need to classify frequent headache days.
  • The concepts of chronic daily headache and transformed migraine emerged in the USA, describing the progression of episodic to chronic headache patterns.

Purpose:

  • To provide an overview of the historical evolution of diagnostic criteria for migraine, chronic migraine, and medication overuse headache.
  • To examine the changes in diagnostic frameworks that incorporated headache frequency and chronification.
  • To highlight the ongoing challenges in establishing universally accepted definitions for chronic migraine and medication overuse headache.

Summary:

  • Migraine definitions evolved from focusing solely on attack duration (ICHD-I) to including frequency, with chronic migraine introduced in ICHD-II (2004).
  • The concept of transformed migraine describes the progression from episodic to chronic migraine, irrespective of medication overuse.
  • Discrepancies in diagnostic views persist, preventing a widely accepted definition for chronic migraine and medication overuse headache.

Impact:

  • Understanding the evolution of diagnostic criteria is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment of chronic headache disorders.
  • Clarifying definitions will improve consistency in clinical practice and research related to migraine and medication overuse headache.
  • This overview aids clinicians and researchers in navigating the complexities of diagnosing and managing chronic migraine and related conditions.

More Related Videos

Investigating Migraine-Like Behavior Using Light Aversion in Mice05:23

Investigating Migraine-Like Behavior Using Light Aversion in Mice

Published on: August 11, 2021

Dural Stimulation and Periorbital von Frey Testing in Mice As a Preclinical Model of Headache05:40

Dural Stimulation and Periorbital von Frey Testing in Mice As a Preclinical Model of Headache

Published on: July 29, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Drug Classes and Categories01:25

Drug Classes and Categories

Drugs can be classified according to their chemical composition or their intended therapeutic application. For instance, anti-infective agents that possess the ability to eliminate pathogens or suppress their growth and reproduction can be grouped based on the organisms they target or their chemical structure. Furthermore, drugs can be divided into prescription, nonprescription, or controlled substances. Prescription medications, such as antibiotics, require oversight from a licensed healthcare...
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction01:14

Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction

Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation

Heart failure can be classified in various ways, with the most common classifications based on physical activity limitations, disease progression, severity, and treatment strategies.The Functional Classification of Heart Failure divides patients into four categories based on physical activity limitation due to symptom burden.Class I: Patients in this class have cardiac disease but no physical activity limitations. Ordinary activities like walking, climbing stairs, or routine tasks do not cause...
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)01:27

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) serves as the primary classification system for mental health disorders, providing standardized diagnostic criteria for clinicians and researchers. First published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions to reflect evolving psychiatric understanding. The fifth edition, DSM-5, released in 2013, introduced key updates that expanded diagnostic categories and modified diagnostic...
Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Classification01:18

Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Classification

Adrenergic agonists can be classified based on their therapeutic uses and mechanisms of action. They serve various purposes in clinical applications.
Vasopressor or pressor agents: They increase blood pressure and function as cardiac stimulants. Examples include endogenous catecholamines (norepinephrine and dopamine) and synthetic agents (phenylephrine).
Bronchodilators: β2-agonists can relax bronchial muscles and widen airways. They are commonly used for treating obstructive pulmonary...