Neck implant reduces occurrence of chronic migraines

New Scientist : A neck implant that delivers periodic electrical impulses to the occipital nerves has been shown to decrease the number of migraines. In a study of 157 migraine sufferers, Stephen Silberstein of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and colleagues saw a decrease from an average of 22 migraines a month to just 16 in the test subjects who had active implants. That decrease was double the decrease experienced by the test subjects who had implants that were not actively stimulating the nerves. The actual mechanism by which the implants work is not known, though research suggests that it reduces concentrations of a pain neurotransmitter. The device has been available in Europe for more than a year, but it is still awaiting approval in the US.