Animal models in headache research

Animal models in headache research

Edited by: Cenk Ayata, Andrea M. Harriott

Animal models are critical for progress in headache research. However, translational models of headache are used in only a small number of labs across the world.

This thematic series, published in The Journal of Headache and Pain, aims to change this by spreading awareness about them. Consequently, we assembled review articles on headache models we hope will stimulate interest in their use, germinate new or modified models, and accelerate the translational potential of existing and developing models. 

The reviews cover the use of genetic methods, cortical spreading depression, direct stimulation of trigeminal neurons, and the use of behavioral testing. These four approaches encompass the current landscape of animal models that examine headache pathophysiology and therapeutic targeting.
Our hope is that these articles will appeal to scientists interested in building translational careers in headache medicine and influence others to exploit and expand the use of these models to accelerate the forward momentum of headache research.

The articles have undergone the journal’s standard peer review process overseen by the Editor-in-Chief.

The Editors declare the following competing interests:

Andrea M. Harriott: Research funding is provided to A.H. by the Phyllis and Jerome Lyle Rappaport Foundation, Building Interdisciplinary Careers in Women’s Health Award – (NIH, 5K12HD051959-13), and the Training in Research for Academic Neurologists to Sustain Careers and Enhance the Numbers of Diverse Scholars (TRANSCENDS) - NINDS/NIH Award through the American Academy of Neurology (R25 NS098999-02).
Prior Consulting/Advisory Board: Bristol-Myers Squibb. No other relevant financial conflict of interest.

Cenk Ayata: Research funding from: NIH, AHA, Fondation Leducq, Andrew Heitman Foundation, Ellison Foundation, Electrocore LLC, Hovid Pharmaceuticals
Consulting/Advisory Board: Omniox Inc., BioAxone Biosciences. No relevant financial conflict of interest

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1. Content Type:Review Article

   Spreading depression as a preclinical model of migraine

   Spreading depression (SD) is a slowly propagating wave of near-complete depolarization of neurons and glial cells across the cortex. SD is thought to contribute to the underlying pathophysiology of migraine au...

   Authors:Andrea M. Harriott, Tsubasa Takizawa, David Y. Chung and Shih-Pin Chen

   Citation:The Journal of Headache and Pain 2019 20:45

   Published on: 2 May 2019

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2. Content Type:Review Article

   Behavioral and cognitive animal models in headache research

   Animal models have provided a growing body of information about the pathophysiology of headaches and novel therapeutic targets. In recent years, experiments in awake animals have gained attention as more relev...

   Authors:Doga Vuralli, Anne-Sophie Wattiez, Andrew F. Russo and Hayrunnisa Bolay

   Citation:The Journal of Headache and Pain 2019 20:11

   Published on: 31 January 2019

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