EHC 2024: European Headache Congress

Rotterdam (ka). ‘Towards a better headache treatment for everyone’ – The ambitious motto of achieving better headache treatment for everyone was at the centre of the 18th European Headache Congress in Rotterdam. The top-class conference is regarded as an international platform for scientific exchange on the subject of headaches. Confidently chaired by Prof Antoinette Maassen van den Brink, Rotterdam and Prof Jan Versijpt, Brussels, the EHC 2024 Congress was a complete success with around 2,200 participants.

In the opening speech, the renowned neurologist and migraine researcher Prof Messoud Ashina, Copenhagen/Denmark, presented the latest research findings on the use of new drugs for migraine and cluster headache. For example, that the new signalling molecule PACAP represents a promising new therapeutic target for the treatment of migraine: ‘New drug targets in migraine and cluster headache: insights from provocation models’. The opening ceremony was the prelude to four exciting congress days with new insights into how headaches can be better treated and how these possibilities can benefit all sufferers.

The participants at the European Headache Congress in Rotterdam all know that an attack of cluster headache or migraine is difficult to bear for those affected. How better headache treatment can be realised for everyone was the subject of heated discussions with experts from all over the world. The congress motto, which included migraine as well as other primary and secondary headaches and facial pain disorders, was intended to address all those involved in the treatment of patients with headaches and facial pain, either as researchers or carers, such as neurologists, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists and neurosurgeons.

A comprehensive programme, compiled from around 500 abstracts with 28 topics, 30 sessions and top-rated posters, provided the basis for experts to engage in a lively discussion about the current state of research and clinical care. The very first plenary session was an innovation this year, providing an overview of current headache research from both a clinical and a basic science perspective: ‘Best clinical bits’, presented by Prof Dr Koen Paemeleire, Gent/Belgium and ‘Best basic science bits’, presented by Dr Philip Holland, London/UK.

A highly topical issue was the question of how the vicious circle between headaches and the excessive use of painkillers can be stopped. The latest data on the prophylactic effect of the antihypertensive drug candesartan for migraines was eagerly awaited and hotly discussed. There were also further discussions on the safety of new anti-migraine drugs that target the CGRP signalling pathway. Fundamental research into the involvement of not yet fully characterised receptors and mediators from the CGRP family in headaches should help to further improve medication in the future. New studies on migraine prophylaxis and the prevention of migraine in children were presented: ‘Evidence-based treatment of migraine in children: past, present and future’. Another focus was on the latest developments in the treatment of cluster headache.

The well-attended debate sessions, for example on points of contact between tension-type headache and migraine, were once again a resounding success: ‘Are tension-type headache and migraine a continuum?’ The question of the role of hormones in menstrual migraine led to controversy about the extent to which oestrogen withdrawal is the pathogenic trigger: ‘Is estrogen withdrawal the pathogenic driver of menstrual migraine?’

In a special session on the role of artificial intelligence, possible applications were presented, for example in predicting a migraine attack. ‘The further development of these technologies offers the best opportunities for the overall advancement of personalised medicine,’ emphasised Prof. Versijpt. Special attention was paid to the Future Headache Experts (FHE), who are very close to Prof. Maassen van den Brink‘s heart: ‘It is crucial that we provide a platform for the next generation of headache experts, because they really are our future!’

Conclusion and outlook

‘We were able to hold exciting discussions in all areas,’ concluded Prof Maassen van den Brink. The attempt to organise an interactive congress in Rotterdam was successful in all areas with live discussions between speakers and audience, juniors and seniors, clinicians and basic scientists. After the inspiring EHC 2024 which set an important example for headache research and patient care at the European level, the interdisciplinary discussions will continue at the EHC 2025. The 19th European Headache Congress will take place from 3 – 6 December 2025 in Lisboa, Portugal.

Further information on the congress can be found at: https://headache-congress.org/

Background:

Headaches are one of the most common complaints worldwide. Migraine is listed among the most disabling conditions by the World Health Organization. 90 percent of those affected suffer from so-called primary headache disorders such as tension type headache, cluster headache or migraine. At least 15 per cent of the worldwide population experience these headaches, often with a high level of suffering. The highest incidence of migraine occurs between the ages of 35 and 45. In this phase of life, women are affected three times more frequently than men.

The European Headache Federation (EHF), one of the two main international headache societies, was founded in 1992 to improve the lives of headache sufferers. As a not-for-profit organisation, the EHF works to improve the lives of people affected by headache in Europe and seeks to raise awareness of headache disorders and their impact among governments, healthcare providers and people across Europe. Within its federal structure, the EHF supports national headache societies. The current President is Prof Antoinette Maassen van den Brink, Rotterdam/Netherlands. Dr Jan Versijpt, MD PhD, is a former President of the Belgian Headache Society (BHS) and member of the EHF Board.

Disclosures: This press release was provide by the EHF to touchNEUROLOGY. No fees were received for the publication of this article.

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