EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 1 PM ET, April 14, 2005

Bright Arctic Light Can Lead to Migraine

Embargoed for Release until 1:45 P.M. ET, Thursday, April 14, 2005

Miami Beach -

The bright light of summer in countries in the arctic area may lead to more headaches for people with migraine, according to research that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology 57th Annual Meeting in Miami Beach, Fla., April 9 – 16, 2005. The results were true only for people with migraine accompanied by an aura, or a warning sensation that occurs before the headache begins. The study, which was conducted in Norway, found that people with migraine with aura are more likely to have attacks during the summer light season than during the polar winter season. “We found that this difference is due to the variation in light exposure—not due to changes in biological rhythms,” said neurologist Karl Alstadhaug, MD, of Nordlandssykehuset Hospital in Bodo, Norway. For the study, 169 women with migraine were interviewed and given questionnaires about their headaches. They included 98 people with migraine with aura and 71 with migraine and no aura. About two-thirds of the women had seasonal variations in the amount of headaches they experienced. Nearly half (47 percent) of those with migraine with aura had more frequent attacks during the light season, compared to 17 percent of those without aura. “This supports the theory that, in people with migraine, the neurons in the occipital lobe of the brain, which is the part that is the primary site for vision, are hyperexcitable or easier to trigger,” said Alstadhaug. In the study, exposure to intense light could lead to attacks for 86 percent of women with migraine with aura, compared to 59 percent of those without aura. Sixty-two percent of the women with aura became extremely sensitive to light during and between attacks, compared to 41 percent of those without aura. Those with migraine with aura were also more likely to wear sunglasses to prevent attacks. There were no differences between the two groups in sleep cycles, sleep disturbances, or shift work that would affect their sleep schedules. The study was supported by the Somatic Research Fund at Nordlandssykehuset Hospital in Bodo, Norway.

The American Academy of Neurology is the leading voice in brain health. As the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 44,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN’s mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine.

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Editor's Notes: Dr. Alstadhaug will present this research during a scientific platform session at 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, in Room D 131 of the Miami Beach Convention Center. He will be available for media questions during a briefing at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 12 in the on-site Press Interview Room, room a107. All listed times are Eastern Time (ET).