New study shows link between environmental pollution and migraines
One in ten Danes suffer from migraines, which can be a debilitating condition that can cause nausea, vomiting, light and sound hyper sensitivity in addition to the headache itself. Now, new research suggests that there is a link between migraine headaches and environmental pollution.
Researchers from the Danish Headache Centre and the Department of Growth and Reproduction at Rigshospitalet and Roskilde University, in collaboration with French colleagues, have just published a study showing a link between several environmental pollutants and aspects of migraine pain. These include substances such as bisphenol A, benzophenones, parabens, phthalates and a range of pesticides such as lindane and pentachlorophenol.
The study was initially conducted on mice and now needs to be further tested before it can finally be linked to humans. However, the results are so significant that the researchers believe that the results of the study should already be disseminated to the public.
Facts about the study
? The study was conducted by researchers from Denmark (Rigshospitalet and Roskilde University) and France (Université Paris Cité)
? The Candys Foundation and the Svend Andersen Foundation have supported the study
? The study is published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives
Affects brain biology
The researchers show in the study that many environmental chemicals can activate a pain receptor that leads to the release of a signal substance that triggers migraine attacks.
"It is thought-provoking that we can document a connection between so many different environmental chemicals and migraines. The study's data gives us a completely new insight into how environmental chemicals can affect the biology of the brain", says professor at Roskilde University and senior researcher at Rigshospitalet David M?bjerg Kristensen, who is one of the researchers behind the study.
The study was initiated because data suggests that migraine prevalence has increased in recent decades.
"There are studies out there that have shown an increase in migraine cases in Denmark, among other countries, over the past few decades. Perhaps the increased exposure to environmental chemicals may help explain this increase," says PhD student Rikke Holm Rasmussen at the Danish Headache Centre, who, together with David M?bjerg Kristensen, has been one of the driving forces behind the study.
Further details
For further information, contact:
tt备用网址 David M?bjerg Kristensen, Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University,
Mobile: 50915988, E-mail: davidmk@ruc.dk