About - NorHEAD
About NorHEAD
Headache disorders constitute a major public health issue and involves large costs for society. They also have a major impact on the lives of many of those affected. However, there are still many unresolved questions related to the diagnosis and treatment of headache disorders.
The Norwegian Centre for Headache Research – NorHEAD unites the leading experts on headache disorders in Norway, across disciplines. Partners from research and educational institutions, hospitals, patient organisations and the business community take part in the centre. We also have extensive collaboration with leading international researchers in the field.
NorHEAD is hosted by the Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science at NTNU.
We include headache patients from all over Norway in our clinical studies.
Research areas
Clinical trials
We perform groundbreaking clinical research to investigate new methods and medical technology in the treatment of headache disorders. Through randomized controlled trials, we will develop new treatment options for different types of headache disorders.
Health register data
We will use health register data and Real-world data to develop models for diagnosis and treatment, and to assess the societal effect of improved treatment.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning
By using techniques from artificial intelligence and machine learning we will develop targeted treatment (precision medicine) and electronic support tools for doctors and clinicians.
Funding
NorHEAD is funded by the Research Council of Norway as a Centre for Clinical Treatment Research. In addition, participating universities and hospitals in Norway contribute with half of the funding.
Headache disorders
The International Headache Society defines four main groups of primary headache disorders: migraine, tension headache, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, and other primary headache disorders.
Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders, affecting approximately 15 percent of the population (800,000 Norwegians and one billion people worldwide). Migraine is considered the most disabling condition worldwide in people under 50 years of age.
Tension-type headache is the most common primary headache, affecting more than a third of the global population.
The trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, which include cluster headache, are much rarer than both migraine and tension headache, but are considered to be some of the most painful conditions known to humans.
