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Background & Objective: Migraine is a periodic headache, usually unilateral and mostly pulsating. This disease is seen in about 10% of general population. So far, no applicable and accurate diagnostic test has been introduced and the diagnosis has been made almost clinically and after other etiologies being ruled out. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic role of visual evoked potential (VEP) in patients with migraine. Materials & Methods: Forty patients with migraine were enrolled in a prospective, case-control study during the years 2004-2005 in Tabriz Imam Khomeini hospital and underwent the VEP study along with 40 healthy volunteers (as the control group). The mean latency of waves N75, P100, N140 and amplitude of wave P100 were measured and compared between two groups. The frequency of increased mentioned waves was compared as well. Results: The mean latency of wave N140 and the number of its increased values and amplitude of P100 were all significantly higher in patients group (P<0.05). The mean latency of P100 was significantly higher in patients with classic migraine (P=0.05). Conclusion: In spite of the fact that there are some significant differences in the VEP results between the patients and the healthy cases, none (except of the patients with classic migraine) are considered as specific changes for migraine. However, for more definite results, further studies are recommended.

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Background and Objective: Millions of women in the world use oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). On the other hand %16 to %19 of women suffer from migraine and many of them have tension headaches. These women may wonder whether the consumption of OCPs is harmful for them. This study carried out to determine the effects of combined low estrogen oral contraceptive pills on migraine and tension headaches. Materials and Methods: This case control study was done on 344 women which reffered to health care centers in Mashhad, Iran during 2009. Case group include 244 women which consumed oral contraceptive for at least three month. 100 women without OCPs consumption were considered as control group. The criteria of International Headache Society for migraine and tension headaches were used to diagnose headache. The severity and the frequency of headaches before and after the consumption of OCP were recorded. Data was analyzed by Chi-Square, Fisher exat, Logestic regresion and Wilcoxon tests. Results: The frequency of migraine headache was 5% and 6% in case and control groups respectively. This different was not significant (OR=0.88, 95%CI: 0.3-2.69, P=0.804). The frequency of tension headache in cases and controls was 12% and 10%, respectively. This different was not significant (OR=1.26, 95%CI: 0.56-2.86, P=0.055). Conclusion: This study showed that the consumption of OCPs, has no effects on the advent of migraine and tension headaches and do not increase the rate and severity of the attacks.

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Background and Objective: Headache is one the most common compliant of patients and has different causes and the migraine and tension headaches are common. Personality is characteristics forming an individual distinctive manner. This study aimed to determine the frequency and association of different types of personality characteristics in patients with migraine and tension headaches. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was done on 160 (12 male and 148 female) subjects with chief complaint of headache whome referred to 5th Azar clinics of Gorgan, Iran during 2007-08. Subjects were selected by simple random sampling and were examined by either a neurologist or psychiatrist patient with diagnosis migraine either of or tension headache were included. Selected patients evaluated by short form of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Data were analyzed using SPSS-13 and Chi-Square test. Results: The mean age was 11.18±33.29 in women and 34.33±13.7 in men. 96 patients (60%) had tension headache and 64 (41.2%) had migraine. In tension headache, depressed personality (43.8%) and hysterical personality (16.4%) were more common but in migraine headache, depressed personality (48.9%) and paranoid personality (20%) were common but this difference was not significant. Conclusion: This study showed that there is no relation between personality characteristics with tension headach and migraine.

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Background and Objective: Migraine is common worldwide. In recent years, vitamin D deficiency has been shown as a global health issue. This study was done to determine the relationship between serum levels of vitamin D with migraine. Methods: This descriptive - analytical study was carried out on 76 patients (21 males, 55 females) with migraine aged 10-61 years olds. Serum vitamin D level of each patient was measured. Adjustments were done for age, sex, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), number of chronic diseases, and education level. The multiple linear regressions were done to determine the relationship between serum levels of vitamin D with migraine. Results: Vitamin D defeicincy was seen in 13.2 of patients.The weak positive association was shown between serum vitamin D with headache (P<0.05), but no significant association was found between serum vitamin D level with migraine severity. Conclusion: No significant association was seen between serum levels of vitamin D with migraine severity.