Learn About A Clinical Trial at DENT That Can Help
by Annette Pinder
More than eight million children in the U.S. suffer from migraine, resulting in an annual loss of over one million school days. The National Headache survey found 25 out of 1,000 children ages 6 to 17 report having frequent or severe headaches. Many of these children are being seen right here at DENT Neurologic Institute. “They come from Syracuse, Canada, Rochester, Jamestown and New York City because the treatment they received hasn’t worked,” says DENT neurologist Dr. Jennifer McVige.
“Often people think children’s headaches aren’t the same as adult headaches. Children and adolescents can suffer from chronic headaches that may be just as severe and debilitating,” says Dr. McVige. “The problem is this age group has not always received adequate pain control because of a reluctance to provide stronger treatments,” explains McVige. However, recent research studies reveal that children can safely receive the same quality of headache management that adults receive. More aggressive therapies can fix the underlying issues, whereas, overuse of the over the counter meds can make symptoms worse.
One treatment that has successfully alleviated debilitating headaches in adults is Botox. Yes, Botox – the same drug used to reduce fine lines on adult foreheads! And there are almost no side effects if Botox is administered properly. Botox is not yet approved for headaches and migraines in children in the U.S., but it is in Canada, where 70% of teens treated with Botox saw improvement and longer headache-free periods, resulting in improvement in the quality of their lives.
While it is relatively rare for children to experience chronic intractable headaches, many of Dr. McVige’s patients are in this category. She says, “Many headaches are misdiagnosed in children as sinus issues. Years can go by, and the child may suffer. But children do have migraines, which can be triggered by light, sounds, the lunchroom, the bus, foods like cheese, chocolate or those containing nitrates and MSG. At DENT we provide treatment and education, incorporating the appropriate vitamins and medications.”
Now Dr. McVige looking forward to being able to offer Botox to teens and tweens between the ages of 12 and 17 who experience 15 or more severe headaches a month. She explains, “People think Botox is just for cosmetic treatment. When we use Botox for migraines, we target the temple and occipital areas, and the small nerves underneath the muscles that get squeezed when someone is in pain. We are skilled, and our goal is to alleviate pain using a highly effective method that has fewer side effects and dramatic results.”
Dr. McVige tells patients, “If your child has been dealing with frequent painful headaches call us. We want to help. If you can’t figure out how many days of headaches your child has, think of it this way – how many days are they headache-free each month?” To learn more about the Botox clinical trial for children ages 12-17, call Melissa Fuller, Research Coordinator at 716-250-2000. All study participants will receive compensation for their time and travel, and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
WNY Resource:
Jennifer McVige, M.D. is a board certified pediatric neurologist and fellowship trained in headache and neuroimaging. She is co-director of the concussion clinic at DENT Neurologic Institute and focuses her practice on the pediatric population that is experiencing headache and concussion issues.
