Migraine headache continues to be the most commonly seen headache type to present in clinical practice. Fortunately, we now have a full compliment of strategies to manage migraine patients for treating the acute attack and in the migraine prevention arena. In addition, new understandings of the mechanism of migraine have lead to not only improved treatments, but improved strategies for management. This educational program will cover several important areas to aid the practicing clinician in migraine management.

"Headache Assessment" will provide the clinician with a practical guide for identifying the less commonly seen, yet important to diagnose, patient with secondary headache disorders. Strategies for quickly identifying the migraine patient among the variety of migraine clinical presentations often seen in the office will be presented.

"The Acute Treatment of Migraine" will provide the clinician with a practical guide for picking appropriate treatments and explore the variety of formulation options that can be used to custom tailor treatment plans for each individual patient�s treatment needs. The importance of the timing of treatment, especially regarding the optimization of treatment outcome, by treating prior to the onset of central sensitization is discussed.

"Migraine Prevention" provides the clinician with clear guidance on when the use of migraine prevention agents is appropriate. Clinical paradigms in the selection of appropriate preventive agents based on patient characteristics and co-morbidities are reviewed.

In this program, "Inflammation and Use of NSAIDs in Migraine," new science has elucidated the clinical utility for old medicines in the management of patients with migraine. Identifying use of appropriate medications at appropriate times during the migraine process can help patients achieve the most out of their treatment plans.

All primary care physicians and other healthcare professionals who diagnose and manage problems frequently encountered in the office management of headache patients.

At the conclusion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Recognize the prevalence of and diagnostic clues for secondary headache
• dentify migraine as the most prevalent headache type in clinical practice and understand its clinical variability
• Identify treatment options for acute migraine including routes of administration
• Understand central sensitization and its implications on acute treatment strategies for patient outcomes
• Define the clinical criteria for initiating treatment of preventive medication for migraine
• Identify at least two migraine preventive mechanisms and be familiar with potential side effects
• Recognize migraine as a multi-mechanism process
• Understand inflammatory mechanisms in migraine and the role in the utilization of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents in migraine management

Robert G. Kaniecki, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurology
University of Pittsburgh Director
The Headache Center
Pittsburgh, PA

Mark W. Green, MD
Director of Headache Medicine
Clinical Professor of Neurology
Department of Neurology
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Clinical Professor of Neurology (in Dentistry)
College of Dental Medicine
New York, NY

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

As an accredited sponsor, the College of Physicians & Surgeons must ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in its educational activities. All faculty participating in this activity are required to disclose to the audience any significant financial interest and/or other relationship with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) and/or provider(s) of commercial services discussed in his/her presentation and/or the commercial contributor(s) of this activity.