New York Headache Center

On September 18, at 9 AM EST, I will be speaking at the Migraine Association of Ireland. Here is the lecture outline: ØPeripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) -Cefaly -Nerivio -Electroacupuncture ØVagus nerve stimulation (VNS) ØTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) I will briefly mention of neurostimulation modalities in development: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), Deep Brain…

A large Brazilian study published in Neurology followed nearly 13,000 adults for eight years and found something troubling: people who consumed the most artificial sweeteners showed faster cognitive decline compared to those who consumed the least.   The study tracked consumption of seven common artificial sweeteners: aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol, and…

Recently published research on lithium deficiency in Alzheimer’s disease has caught the attention of the media. As a neurologist specializing in pain and headache medicine with an interest in non-pharmacological therapies, it’s got me thinking about potential implications for my patients with migraine and chronic pain. From Alzheimer’s to Migraine: Shared Pathways The new Alzheimer’s findings…

There’s something powerful about human touch when you’re hurting. As a neurologist, I see every day how a gentle hand squeeze from someone you trust can shift your pain—not just emotionally, but in ways that are now supported by solid science. A major study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) in 2018 revealed that when romantic partners held hands during a…

In my latest book, The End of Migraines: 150 Ways to Stop Your Pain, I mentioned studies that showed the pain-relieving effect of virtual reality. New research reveals how immersive natural environments could offer a high-tech solution to pain management. We’ve all experienced the calming effect of spending time in nature – whether it’s a walk through the forest, sitting by a lake, or simply…

Aphasia, a language disorder that often follows stroke, affects millions of people worldwide. It can make speaking, understanding, reading, and writing difficult or even impossible. For many, recovery stalls after the first few months, leaving them with long-term communication challenges. Traditional speech therapy can help, but progress is often slow and incomplete. Transcranial magnetic…

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a term used by neurologists to describe symptoms such as forgetting names, losing focus, or struggling with simple tasks. While MCI involves subtle changes in memory or thinking that don’t disrupt daily life, it’s often an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease. The good news is that a non-invasive treatment, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), is showing…

Many women with migraine worry about taking their medications during pregnancy. Migraine drugs in the triptan family (like sumatriptan, rizatriptan, etc.) are very effective for stopping attacks, but questions have remained about their safety for the developing baby. Now, a large new study published in Neurology (June 2025) provides reassuring evidence that prenatal exposure to triptans does not…

Researchers at USC’s Keck Medicine presented a poster with their findings at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society in Minneapolis, which concluded yesterday. They described the effect of intravenous magnesium on the post-concussion syndrome. In 2019, the same group published an article on the beneficial effect of intravenous magnesium on status migraine. In the current…

A large new study led by Dr. Sait Ashina reveals that revolutionary migraine prevention medications remain significantly underutilized, even though they represent a major breakthrough in migraine treatment. What Are These New Medications? CGRP monoclonal antibodies (often called CGRP mAbs) are a newer class of migraine prevention medications that work differently from traditional options. These…

For over 15 years, research has been building a compelling case that vitamin D plays a crucial role in neurological health, far beyond its well-known effects on bone health. Recent groundbreaking studies are now showing just how profound this connection may be—and highlighting how many of us may be unknowingly deficient in this vital nutrient.3 Revolutionary MS Study: High-Dose Vitamin D Shows…

For years, doctors and patients have worried that migraines—especially those with aura—might leave behind silent “scars” in the brain, visible as white spots (called white matter hyperintensities, or WMHs) on MRI scans. These spots are often linked to small vessel disease, cognitive decline, and even stroke. But a new study is turning that idea on its head. Surprising New Findings A large study…

Scientists at Copenhagen University Hospital compared 132 adults who still had headaches a year or more after a mild traumatic brain injury (called persistent post-traumatic headache, or PTH) with 751 people who have migraines. They collected details about pain features, disability scores, mood symptoms and the medicines people use day to day. The results were published in Cephalalgia, a journal…

We have been using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to treat chronic migraine headaches and other types of pain and neurological disorders. An article published in Pain Medicine News provides a brief review of the use of rTMS in treating painful conditions. rTMS has been reported to relieve neuropathic pain, orofacial pain, phantom pain, low back pain, myofascial pain syndrome,…

At the New York Headache Center, we have been using fMRI-guided repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) to treat chronic migraine, posttraumatic headaches (PTH), pain syndromes, and neurological disorders. This approach uses functional MRI (fMRI) to precisely target brain regions involved in pain and mood regulation, enhancing treatment outcomes. A recent study published in The…

A major new study offers hope for athletes and others recovering from concussion: using over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics like acetaminophen and NSAIDs may significantly improve symptoms and reduce recovery time. Researchers from the University of Washington Medical Center, working with NCAA athletes and military cadets, tracked over 1,600 young adults who experienced a concussion. They compared…

You may think of flossing as a way to keep your teeth and gums healthy, but new research shows that it may also protect your heart and brain. Recent scientific studies reveal compelling connections between gum health, stroke risk, and chronic migraines. A major study led by Dr. Souvik Sen at the University of South Carolina found that flossing at least once a week can cut your risk of ischemic…