Headache Research and Medical Practice in Brazil: An Historical Overview

Abstract

Since the creation of the Brazilian Headache Society in 1978, substantial developments have taken place in both research and clinical practice in the field of headache medicine in Brazil. The Society now has almost 300 members throughout the country, actively working to improve the health of the general population and, in particular, diagnose and treat headache disorders. In addition, in a few large cities, such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Ribeirão Preto, Curitiba, and Porto Alegre, headache specialists have come together to promote research projects and increase knowledge in the field through MSc, PhD, and postdoctoral programs. Furthermore, scientific journals have emerged and books have been published to record and disseminate Brazilian scientific production in headache medicine. In this narrative review, we will briefly describe some important aspects of headache medicine in Brazil from prehistoric times to the present day, discuss the origin of headache medicine as a specialty in Brazil, the principal publications dealing with headache disorders, the use of plants and other unconventional forms of treatment used by faith healers, the main training centers, and the research produced to date by Brazilians. In conclusion, in recent years enormous progress has been made in headache medicine in Brazil stimulating us to review and expand our role in an increasingly international scenario.

Commentary: Distribution of 5-HT1F Receptors in Monkey Vestibular and Trigeminal Ganglion Cells

“…Migraine probably exerted a role in the organization of the world’s first cities, transforming a previously nomadic existence into a sedentary way of life (12). Conditions such as incapacitating migraine attacks, pregnancy, lactation, and menses may well be states that led our species to its present-day “civilized” way of life (12). …”

“…Regarding feeding, distinct smells, specific food ingestion, and food privation might all have triggered migraines in these migraine-prone individuals who, by changing their behavior, may have forced the entire group to reconsider their previous migratory way of life (12). …”

The Brazilian Contribution to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Headache Disorders

“…The use of plants (herbal therapy) to treat headache (preventive and acute treatments) is still a common practice among the Brazilian population, and a brief review of this has been included in one of the selected articles …”

“…1 Names such as Aristides Leão, Edgard Raffaelli Júnior, and Wilson Farias da Silva have been remembered as pioneers in Brazil in the development of headache medicine. 1 Since then, great strides have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of headache.…”

“…4 The use of plants (herbal therapy) to treat headache (preventive and acute treatments) is still a common practice among the Brazilian population, and a brief review of this has been included in one of the selected articles. 1 Still on the topic of treatment, Dach et al 6 have commented on the different modalities and locations used to perform a nerve block as a form of treatment in cluster headache, cervicogenic headache, and other types of cephalalgias. Thus, details of the practical use of nerve blocks (greater occipital nerve, lesser occipital nerve, supraorbital nerve, supratrochlear nerve, infratrochlear nerve, infraorbital nerve, auriculotemporal nerve, mental nerve, and glossopharyngeal nerve) for the diagnosis and treatment (eg, cervicogenic headache and occipital neuralgia) or of adjuvant treatment (eg, migraine) of primary and secondary headache and cranial neuralgias are described.…”