Prophylaxis of migraine headaches with riboflavin: A systematic review

Mitochondria in migraine pathophysiology - does epigenetics play a role?

The approximately three times higher rate of migraine prevalence in women than men may result from the mitochondrial transmission of this disease. Studies with imaging techniques suggest disturbances in mitochondrial metabolism in specific regions of the brain in migraine patients. Migraine shares some clinical features with several mitochondrial diseases and many other disorders include migraine headaches. Epigenetic regulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a matter of debate and there are some conflicting results, especially on mtDNA methylation. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) and long-noncoding RNA (lncRNAs) have been detected in mitochondria. The regulation of the miRNA-lncRNA axis can be important for mitochondrial physiology and its impairment can result in a disease phenotype. Further studies on the role of mitochondrial epigenetic modifications in migraine are needed, but they require new methods and approaches.

Guidelines on management of cyclic vomiting syndrome in adults by the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society and the Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association

The increasing recognition of cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) in adults prompted the development of these evidence-based guidelines on the management of CVS in adults, which was sponsored by the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society (ANMS) and the Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association (CVSA). GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) framework was used and a professional librarian performed the literature search. The expert committee included the President of the CVSA who brought a patient perspective into the deliberations. The committee makes recommendations for the prophylaxis of CVS, treatment of acute attacks, diagnosis, and overall management of CVS. The committee strongly  recommends that adults with moderate-to-severe CVS receive a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), such as amitriptyline, as a first-line prophylactic medication and receive topiramate or aprepitant as alternate prophylactic medications. Zonisamide or levetiracetam and mitochondrial supplements (Coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, and riboflavin) are conditionally recommended as alternate prophylactic medications, either alone or concurrently with other prophylactic medications. For acute attacks, the committee conditionally recommends using serotonin antagonists, such as ondansetron, and/or triptans, such as sumatriptan or aprepitant to abort symptoms. Emergency department treatment is best achieved with the use of an individualized treatment protocol and shared with the care team (example provided). The committee recommended screening and treatment for comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression, migraine headache, autonomic dysfunction, sleep disorders, and substance use with referral to appropriate allied health services as indicated. Techniques like meditation, relaxation, and biofeedback may be offered as complementary therapy to improve overall well-being and patient care outcomes.

Review of the Management of Pediatric Post-Concussion Syndrome-a Multi-Disciplinary, Individualized Approach

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Post-concussion syndrome (PCS), when the patient's concussion symptoms last longer than 4-6 weeks, affects 10-30% of concussion patients. PCS presents a significant source of morbidity to patients and a management challenge to providers. In this review, we present the current evidence and best management approaches for pediatric PCS.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is limited high-quality evidence in pediatric PCS. There is some evidence supporting pharmaceutical management of post-traumatic headaches, cognitive symptoms, and emotional symptoms. Vestibular-ocular dysfunction should be evaluated and managed appropriately. Neuropsychological recovery is expected, but requires appropriate attention to Return to Learn. Emotional symptoms are common in PCS and the evidence supports treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy. PCS presents a unique therapeutic challenge affecting multiple domains for patients-physical, sleep, cognitive, and emotional. Successful management of PCS requires a multi-disciplinary and individualized approach. There remains a significant need for further research, specifically looking into the outcomes and effective interventions in pediatric PCS.

Effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on clinical features of migraine: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective: Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant and an essential mitochondrial cofactor which has been suggested to improve the clinical features of migraine. Several randomized clinical trials have examined the effects of Coenzyme Q10 on migraine with inconclusive results. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the impact of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation on the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane library and Scopus to identify eligible studies up to April 2018. Studies included were randomized clinical trials of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation that reported the frequency, severity, or duration of migraine attacks as a primary outcome. A meta-analysis of eligible studies was performed using the fixed effects model or the random effects model to estimate pooled effect size. Results: Four randomized clinical trials with 221 participants were included. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation significantly reduced the frequency of migraine attacks (weighted mean difference: -1.87 attacks/month, 95% CI: -2.69 to -1.05, p < 0.001) without significant heterogeneity among the studies (I ² = 36.6%, p = 0.192). Coenzyme Q10 supplementation had no significant effect on severity (weighted mean difference: -2.35 visual analog scale score, 95% CI: -5.19 to 0.49, p = 0.105) and duration of migraine attacks (weighted mean difference: -6.14 h, 95% CI: -13.14 to 0.87, p = 0.086) with high heterogeneity. Conclusion: Pooled analyses of available randomized clinical trials suggest that Coenzyme Q10 supplementation may reduce the frequency of migraine attacks per month without affecting the severity or duration of migraine attacks.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome in Children and Adults: What Is New in 2018?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a disabling functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by severe vomiting episodes that alternate with symptom-free periods. The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge and highlight most recent data on prevalence, diagnosis, management, and impact of CVS in children and adults.

RECENT FINDINGS

Originally thought to be a pediatric disorder, the past decade has witnessed a considerable increase in CVS diagnosed in adults. Despite improved recognition of CVS, without a delineated pathophysiology and specific biomarker, it remains classified as a functional gastrointestinal disorder. Migraines and CVS share a common pathway based on several studies and response to migraine therapy. Recent work has begun to expand the list of comorbidities and identify plausible mechanisms and new therapeutic avenues. This review seeks to highlight best practices and novel therapies for CVS based on expert consensus and review of available literature.

The Evidence for the Role of Nutraceuticals in the Management of Pediatric Migraine: a Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Nutraceuticals are a form of complementary and alternative medicine that is commonly used by children and adolescents with migraine. In this review, observational studies, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses on the efficacy and safety of single compound nutraceuticals for the management of migraine in children and adolescents were identified through a literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, and EBM Reviews-Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.

RECENT FINDINGS

Twenty-one studies were reviewed, of which 11 were observational studies, 7 were randomized controlled trials, and 3 were systematic reviews. Six different nutraceuticals were included in the review: vitamin D, riboflavin, coenzyme Q10, magnesium, butterbur, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. All but three of the studies assessed the role of nutraceuticals in migraine prevention, while three studies evaluated the role of intravenous magnesium for acute migraine management. Overall, the quality and size of the studies were limited. Due to low quality evidence and limited studies, no definite conclusions can be drawn on the efficacy of nutraceuticals for the treatment of pediatric migraine. Future studies are warranted in order to establish evidence upon which to define the role of nutraceuticals in this patient population.

Riboflavin Has Neuroprotective Potential: Focus on Parkinson's Disease and Migraine

With the huge negative impact of neurological disorders on patient's life and society resources, the discovery of neuroprotective agents is critical and cost-effective. Neuroprotective agents can prevent and/or modify the course of neurological disorders. Despite being underestimated, riboflavin offers neuroprotective mechanisms. Significant pathogenesis-related mechanisms are shared by, but not restricted to, Parkinson's disease (PD) and migraine headache. Those pathogenesis-related mechanisms can be tackled through riboflavin proposed neuroprotective mechanisms. In fact, it has been found that riboflavin ameliorates oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and glutamate excitotoxicity; all of which take part in the pathogenesis of PD, migraine headache, and other neurological disorders. In addition, riboflavin-dependent enzymes have essential roles in pyridoxine activation, tryptophan-kynurenine pathway, and homocysteine metabolism. Indeed, pyridoxal phosphate, the active form of pyridoxine, has been found to have independent neuroprotective potential. Also, the produced kynurenines influence glutamate receptors and its consequent excitotoxicity. In addition, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase requires riboflavin to ensure normal folate cycle influencing the methylation cycle and consequently homocysteine levels which have its own negative neurovascular consequences if accumulated. In conclusion, riboflavin is a potential neuroprotective agent affecting a wide range of neurological disorders exemplified by PD, a disorder of neurodegeneration, and migraine headache, a disorder of pain. In this article, we will emphasize the role of riboflavin in neuroprotection elaborating on its proposed neuroprotective mechanisms in opposite to the pathogenesis-related mechanisms involved in two common neurological disorders, PD and migraine headache, as well as, we encourage the clinical evaluation of riboflavin in PD and migraine headache patients in the future.