Specialists working in migraine and headache share scientific advances at International Headache Congress

Researchers and clinicians worldwide working in migraine, headache and brain injury share the field's latest scientific advances at the International Headache Congress, hosted by the International Headache Society and the American Headache Society. The theme -- "Revolutionizing Headache Care through Science"-- presents important new work on migraine, headache and facial pain.

The congress will take place Thursday, June 27-- Sunday, June 30, 2013 at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, 900 Boylston St., Boston, MA.

Highlights of scientific papers and presentations include:

• "Episodic Migraine and Obesity," presented by Lee Peterlin, Johns Hopkins University;
• "Post-Traumatic Stress in Veterans," presented by Elizabeth K. Seng, Connecticut Healthcare;
• "Childhood Cardiovascular Profile and Migraine Risk in Adulthood," presented by Ana Recober, University of Iowa;
• "Stigma Towards Migraine," presented by Robert E. Shapiro, University of Vermont;
• "Mild TBI in Children," presented by Heidi K. Blume, Seattle Children's Hospital;
• "So Many Migraines, So Few Specialists," presented by Noah Rosen, North Shore-LIJ Health System;
• "Suboptimal Treatment of Episodic Migraine and Increased Risk of Chronic Migraine," presented by Richard Lipton, Albert Einstein College of Medicine;
• "Patient Knowledge of Migraine Medications," presented by Eric P. Baron, Cleveland Clinic.

The meeting will kick off with the launch of the 36 Million Migraine Campaign: an unprecedented public education initiative led by migraine sufferer Cindy McCain and migraine specialists from around the world. A panel discussion-- "A Time to Make a Difference: The 36 Million Migraine Campaign"-- will seek to raise awareness and $36 million for use in migraine research.

Migraine, headache and related disorders are among the least understood and treated, despite the fact that they are among the world's leading causes of disability and suffering. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 36 million men, women and children suffer with migraine, accounting for almost half of all years of life lost to disability attributed to neurological disorders. The Federal commitment to migraine research is about $16 million-- less than 45 cents per person-- for a disease that costs more than $29 billion a year in direct and indirect medical costs.