AuraTransient focal neurological symptoms that may precede a migraine attack. Most often visual (zigzag lines, blind spots, flashing lights), but can be sensory, language, or motor.
Abortive medicationA medication taken at the onset of a migraine attack to stop or reduce its severity. Also called acute medication.
AllodyniaPain from a stimulus that does not normally cause pain — for example, pain from light touch, hair brushing, or wearing glasses during a migraine.
CatheterA thin, flexible tube inserted into a blood vessel. Used in TEMMA to navigate to the MMA.
CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide)A key signaling molecule in migraine. Released from trigeminal nerve endings during an attack; causes vasodilation and inflammation. CGRP inhibitors are a major class of modern migraine drugs.
Chronic migraineHeadache occurring on 15 or more days per month for more than 3 months, with migraine features on at least 8 of those days.
Coil embolizationA procedure in which a small, soft platinum coil is placed inside a blood vessel to seal it. Used in TEMMA.
CT (computed tomography)An imaging study that uses X-rays to create detailed pictures of the brain. Sometimes used to evaluate patients before TEMMA.
DHE (dihydroergotamine)A migraine medication that constricts blood vessels and reduces migraine pain. Available as an injection or nasal spray.
Dura (dura mater)The outermost of the three membranes surrounding the brain. Densely innervated with pain-sensing nerves. A central player in migraine.
EmbolizationA procedure that intentionally blocks a blood vessel. In TEMMA, the MMA is embolized with a small coil.
Episodic migraineFewer than 15 headache days per month. The other major category of migraine (alongside chronic).
GepantA class of migraine medication that blocks CGRP. Includes ubrogepant and rimegepant.
HippocraticRelating to the ethical tradition in medicine, from the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. The Hippocratic Oath is the most famous expression of medical ethics.
HemisphereOne half of the brain (left or right). Migraine attacks often affect one hemisphere more than the other, causing one-sided head pain.
IncidenceThe number of new cases of a condition in a population over a specific time period. Migraine has a high prevalence and incidence worldwide.
Lidocaine testA short diagnostic procedure where a small amount of numbing medicine (lidocaine) is injected into the MMA. Used in TEMMA to predict whether the full treatment will help.
Medication-overuse headache (MOH)A headache pattern that develops or worsens when acute pain medications are used too frequently. Also called rebound headache.
MicrocatheterAn extremely thin catheter used in neurovascular procedures like TEMMA.
Middle meningeal artery (MMA)The main blood vessel that supplies the dura. The target of the TEMMA procedure.
MigraineA complex neurological condition characterized by recurrent headaches, often one-sided and throbbing, accompanied by nausea, light/sound sensitivity, and sometimes aura.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)An imaging study that uses magnetic fields to create detailed pictures of the brain. Often used in migraine evaluation.
NeurointerventionalA subspecialty of radiology, neurology, or neurosurgery focused on minimally invasive, image-guided procedures involving the blood vessels of the brain and head.
Preventive medicationA medication taken regularly to reduce migraine frequency or severity.
Refractory migraineMigraine that has not responded adequately to multiple standard preventive and acute treatments.
Subdural hematomaA collection of blood between the brain and its outer covering. The condition most commonly treated with MMA embolization before TEMMA adapted the technique for migraine.
TEMMATargeted Embolization for Migraine Management. A minimally invasive procedure that uses a small coil to seal the middle meningeal artery and reduce migraine frequency.
TriptanA class of migraine medication (sumatriptan, rizatriptan, etc.) that targets serotonin receptors. A first-line acute treatment for many patients.
Trigeminal nerveThe cranial nerve responsible for sensation in the face and much of the head. Its branches innervate the dura and play a central role in migraine.
Trigeminovascular systemThe network of pain-sensing nerves (primarily from the trigeminal nerve) that innervate the dura and its blood vessels.