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Vestibular migraine: a critical review of treatment trials

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Abstract

Vestibular migraine (VM), also known as migraine-associated vertigo, is a common cause of dizziness in adults. We performed a comprehensive literature search regarding treatment for VM or migraine-associated vertigo during the period of 1990–2008 and used, individually or in combination, the search terms VM, migraine-associated vertigo, migraine-associated dizziness, migrainous vertigo, migraine and vertigo, migraine and disequilibrium, and headache and vertigo. We found nine publications that address treatment strategies for VM. One small randomized clinical trial found some benefit from the use of zolmitriptan for abortive treatment of VM. The other eight observational studies showed marginal improvement with migraine prophylactic medications such as nortriptyline, verapamil, or metoprolol. Until more specific treatment options become available, patients with VM need to be managed with similar prophylactic and abortive strategies as those used for migraine in adults.

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Acknowledgement

We thank Dr. David Newman-Toker for his thorough and extensive review of the manuscript. His thoughtful comments are greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Balance, Dizziness, and Vertigo, LifeBridge Health Brain & Spine Institute, 5051 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21209, USA

    Majid Fotuhi

  2. LifeBridge Health Brain & Spine Institute, 5051 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21209, USA

    Braeme Glaun & Tzipora Sofare

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Susan Y. Quan

Authors
  1. Majid Fotuhi
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  2. Braeme Glaun
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  3. Susan Y. Quan
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  4. Tzipora Sofare
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Correspondence to Majid Fotuhi.

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Fotuhi, M., Glaun, B., Quan, S.Y. et al. Vestibular migraine: a critical review of treatment trials. J Neurol 256, 711–716 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-009-5050-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-009-5050-5

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