Publications by authors named "Mira Fitzek"

Background: Migraine patients unresponsive to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)(-receptor, -R) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) may benefit from switching between CGRP(-R) mAbs. However, some patients do not tolerate or respond to any subcutaneous mAbs. This study evaluates the efficacy of the intravenous CGRP mAb eptinezumab in these therapy-refractory patients.

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  • The prodrome phase of a migraine attack occurs 24-48 hours before the headache and involves symptoms that can be mistaken for triggers.
  • This review analyzes existing studies to clarify the distinction between prodromal symptoms and migraine triggers, using clinical and neurophysiological data.
  • Understanding the interaction between brain activity during the prodromal phase and potential triggers is essential for improving migraine management and exploring their underlying mechanisms.
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  • - The study investigated the prevalence of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in adults with migraines, finding that over half of the participants (58.9%) screened positive for RBD.
  • - The analysis involved 751 migraine patients who completed various questionnaires, highlighting that a younger age and specific REM sleep features were significantly linked to a positive RBD screening.
  • - The findings indicate frequent RBD symptoms in migraine sufferers, suggesting a need for further research, including sleep studies, to better understand the connection and any underlying mechanisms.
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Background: Endogeneous and exogeneous sex hormones can impact the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the relationship between female sex hormones and Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-38 (PACAP-38) concentrations in plasma of women with migraine and healthy controls, aiming to elucidate potential hormonal influences on PACAP dynamics and their relevance to migraine pathophysiology.

Methods: This analysis is part of a cross-sectional, matched-cohort study.

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  • Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS) is a sensory disorder causing distorted perceptions, often linked to migraines, but its prevalence among migraine patients is not well understood.
  • A study with 808 migraine patients found that 16.5% experienced AIWS symptoms, with various visual distortions being the most common, typically lasting about half an hour.
  • The research suggests that AIWS is more prevalent in migraine patients with aura compared to those without, indicating potential shared mechanisms between the two conditions.
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  • * Metabolic conditions can influence how effective migraine medications are due to changes in body composition and metabolism, but research on this relationship is currently limited.
  • * The article emphasizes the need for more studies to understand the interplay between metabolic health and migraine treatment to develop personalized therapy options for better outcomes.
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Background: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) pathway are safe and effective treatments for migraine prevention. However, the high cost of these novel therapies has led to reimbursement policies requiring patients to try multiple traditional preventives before access. In Germany, a recent change in insurance policy significantly expanded coverage for the CGRP receptor mAb erenumab, enabling migraine patients who failed just one prior prophylactic medication to receive this mAb.

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Background And Purpose: Migraine aura, near-death experiences (NDEs), and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep intrusions might share common mechanisms. Here, we investigated the prevalence of NDEs and REM sleep intrusions in people with migraine. We hypothesized that NDEs and REM sleep intrusions are more prevalent in migraine patients with aura than in those without.

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Background: Therapeutic options for migraine prevention in non-responders to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) and its receptor are often limited. Real-world data have shown that non-responders to the CGRP-receptor mAb erenumab may benefit from switching to a CGRP ligand mAb. However, it remains unclear whether, vice versa, erenumab is effective in non-responders to CGRP ligand mAbs.

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Background: Clinical trials and real-world studies revealed a spectrum of response to CGRP(-receptor) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in migraine prophylaxis, ranging from no effect at all to total migraine freedom. In this study, we aimed to compare clinical characteristics between super-responders (SR) and non-responders (NR) to CGRP(-receptor) mAbs.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study at the Headache Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

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Hormonal contraception (HC) can influence the migraine burden and should be considered in the comprehensive management of women with migraine. In this study, we aim to investigate the influence of migraine and migraine aura on the prescribing behavior of combined oral contraception (COC) and progestogen monotherapy (PM) in gynecological outpatient care. From October 2021 to March 2022, we performed an observational, cross-sectional study using a self-administered online-based survey.

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Background And Objectives: Sex hormones may modulate calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release in the trigeminovascular system. We studied CGRP concentrations in plasma and tear fluid in female participants with episodic migraine (EM) and a regular menstrual cycle (RMC), female participants with EM and combined oral contraception (COC), and female participants with EM in the postmenopause. For control, we analyzed 3 corresponding groups of age-matched female participants without EM.

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Discontinuation of treatment with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) targeting the Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) pathway leads to an increase in migraine frequency. We aimed to assess changes in free and total CGRP plasma concentrations after the discontinuation of CGRP(-receptor) mAbs. This prospective analysis included 59 patients with migraine (n = 25 erenumab, n = 25 galcanezumab, n = 9 fremanezumab) who discontinued mAbs after ≥8 months of treatment.

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Introduction: Refractory migraine is associated with low quality of life and great socioeconomic burden. Despite high need for effective, tolerable preventive therapies, there has been little research on potential therapeutic options. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) are the first preventive therapeutic approach for migraine based on the underlying pathophysiology.

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Olfactory epithelium (OE) is capable of lifelong regeneration due to presence of basal progenitor cells that respond to injury or neuronal loss with increased activity. However, this capability diminishes with advancing age and a decrease in odor perception in older individuals is well established. To characterize changes associated with age in the peripheral olfactory system, an in-depth analysis of the OE and its neuronal projections onto the olfactory bulb (OB) as a function of age was performed.

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