Publications by authors named "Allison Verhaak"

Article Synopsis
  • A case study reports a 54-year-old man with a history of episodic migraine who developed hemicrania continua (HC) and persistent visual aura lasting 15 months, with his aura symptoms only improving after treatment with divalproex sodium.
  • Visual aura, usually specific to migraine, has been linked to HC, but in this case, the aura continued despite successful headache treatment with indomethacin, indicating different underlying mechanisms.
  • The findings suggest that while migraine and HC might share common origins, the persistent visual aura appears to arise from separate processes needing distinct treatment approaches.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to assess physical therapists' (PTs) knowledge and needs regarding headache diagnosis and management.

Background: While there is significant research on physical therapy and cervicogenic headache, studies suggest that migraine is often under-recognized, misdiagnosed, and inadequately treated across society despite its high prevalence and burden. Because migraine commonly includes concurrent neck pain and/or vestibular symptoms, patients with migraine may present to PTs for treatment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Research indicates that cannabinoids may be helpful in treating migraines, but there's limited information about their use among headache patients.
  • A study surveyed 1,373 patients at a headache clinic, revealing that over half had used cannabis-based products for migraines, mainly for headache relief and sleep issues.
  • Participants reported significant improvements in migraine symptoms and related conditions, with many reducing or eliminating conventional medications, while side effects were relatively uncommon.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess women's healthcare providers' treatment practices for pregnant women with migraine.

Background: Migraine is associated with several maternal and fetal complications during pregnancy, including preeclampsia and preterm birth. Migraine treatment during pregnancy can present significant challenges due to lack of controlled clinical trials and risks associated with specific medications.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) offers a unique opportunity to examine the underlying neuronal mechanisms of surgically assisted weight loss due to its instant, non-invasive, adjustable nature. Six participants with stable excess weight loss (%EWL ≥ 45) completed 2 days of fMRI scanning 1.5-5 years after LAGB surgery.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Limited research has explored the relationship between weight bias and clinical attrition, despite weight bias being associated with negative health outcomes.

Participants/method: Experienced weight stigma (EWS), internalized weight bias (IWB), and clinical attrition were studied in a Medical Weight Loss clinic, which combines pharmacological and behavioral weight loss. Patient sociodemographic, medical, and psychological (depression) variables were measured at consultation, and clinic follow-ups were monitored for 6 months.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Studies suggest that migraine is often underdiagnosed and inadequately treated in the primary care setting, despite many patients relying on their primary care provider (PCP) to manage their migraine. Many women consider their women's healthcare provider to be their PCP, yet very little is known about migraine knowledge and practice patterns in the women's healthcare setting.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess women's healthcare providers' knowledge and needs regarding migraine diagnosis and treatment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Much data suggest that the binding of dynorphin-like peptides to kappa-opioid receptors (KORs) during the administration of and withdrawal from a variety of addictive drugs is aversive and serves to limit the reinforcing properties of those drugs and to enhance tolerance, withdrawal, and the probability of stress-induced relapse. In this study, we examined the role of KORs in mediating opioid withdrawal and its aversive consequences in rats. We found that selective blockade of KORs by i.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF