Light, sound and touch sensitivity as early signs of worsening migraine
Sensory Amplifications as Biomarkers of Migraine Progression
This work uses light, sound and touch tests to find signs that people with episodic migraine may be progressing toward chronic migraine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161381 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will measure how sensitive you are to light, sound, and touch using simple psychophysical tests and physiological recordings. They will combine those measures into candidate biomarkers and compare them to standard clinical diagnoses. The team will follow people over time to see which measures best predict progression from episodic to chronic migraine. The tests are designed to be practical for use in routine neurology visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with episodic migraine, especially those who notice light, sound, or touch sensitivity and who can attend clinic visits for testing, are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without migraine or those already living with chronic migraine may not gain direct benefit from tests aimed at predicting progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these biomarkers could identify people at high risk of chronic migraine earlier so clinicians can offer preventive treatments and reduce disability.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies link sensory sensitivities to migraine severity and the investigators have preliminary data, but validating combined sensory biomarkers as predictors of progression is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brennan, Kevin Christopher — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Brennan, Kevin Christopher
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.