My lab's main interest is to determine novel mechanisms that influence the initiation, frequency and diverse symptoms of migraine and other primary headaches. Migraine is one of the most disabling disorders globally and there is a major unmet need to dissect novel mechanisms and therapeutic targets to facilitate the development of new safe and efficacious therapies. Our research is focused on the underpinning biology of headaches and we work closely with our clinical colleagues to enable a full translational program of research here at King’s College London. I also take an active role in teaching across several undergraduate and graduate courses with a view to developing the next generation of scientists. This is combined with regular public, scientific and industrial engagement that is aimed to promote awareness of migraine and related primary headaches.

Please see my Research Staff Profile for more detail

Key publications:

• Vila-Pueyo et al., 2022. The selective 5-HT1F receptor agonist lasmiditan inhibits trigeminal nociceptive processing: Implications for migraine and cluster headache. British Journal of Pharmacology.
• Stanyer et al., 2021. Subjective sleep quality and sleep architecture in patients with migraine. A Meta-analysis. Neurology.
• Vila-Pueyo et al., 2019. Divergent influences of the locus coeruleus on migraine pathophysiology Pain.
• Akerman et al., 2019. Nitroglycerine triggers triptan-responsive cranial allodynia and trigeminal neuronal hypersensitivity Brain.
• Holland et al., 2012. Acid‐sensing ion channel 1: A novel therapeutic target for migraine with aura. Annals of Neurology.

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Key collaborators:

• Professor Peter Goadsby, King's College London
• Dr Jan Hoffmann, King's College London
• Dr Alessio Delogu, King's College London
• Dr Sam Cooke, King's College London
• Professor Stuart Peirson, University of Oxford