Headache Treatment: Trial Methodology and New Drugs (Frontiers in Headache Research)

This volume examines the methodology of drug trials for treatment of headache disorders and reviews ongoing studies of drugs that have been introduced or are in development. The first half of the book presents detailed, critical analysis of the clinical trial methods and criteria used to evaluate new drugs for acute migraine attacks, migraine prophylaxis, tension-type headaches and cluster headaches. The second major section reviews the clinical experience with the new antimigraine drug, sumatriptan, and examines various drugs that are now in clinical trials. Paticular attention is given to novel formations of sumatriptan administered via the intranasal or rectal route and to new 5-HT1D receptor agonists such as zolmitriptan. Other drugs discussed include substance P antagonists, sodium valproate and combined oral lysine acetylsalicylate and metoclopramide. Also included is a chapter that explores a variety of novel targets for antimigraine drug development.