Research
Migraine research over the past 30 years has contributed significantly to elucidating the origin of migraine attacks. This includes the discovery of a first migraine gene in 1993 and the discovery of a second migraine gene in 2003. These research results also disproved the old theory according to which the neurological deficits of the migraine aura (mainly visual and sensory disturbances in the run-up to the attack) are caused by a constriction of cerebral arteries and the headache is triggered by the dilation of the cerebral and cranial arteries. Today it is clear that migraine originates in the brain, more precisely in the brain stem, as a derailment of quite normal regulatory circuits that control functions such as wakefulness, hunger and thirst. This does not cause any damage.
To ensure that we remain at the cutting edge of knowledge and can offer our patients even better treatment options in the future, we conduct drug studies and migraine research in our internal research center. In addition, the Headache Center Hirslanden AG regularly participates in national and international studies as an official study center in collaboration with Neurologica GmbH.