Creating a patient registry and biorepository to advance migraine research and treatment is one of the primary goals of the American Migraine Foundation's 36 Million Migraine campaign. From it, researchers will be able to access and study samples of saliva, blood, and other genetic materials and biological fluids; and brain images from people with migraine. This research will allow for a better understanding of the biology of migraine and how it progresses and the best treatments for it.

"The goal of the American Migraine Foundation is to develop a multicenter patient registry and biorepository that will transform migraine research and lead to substantial treatment breakthroughs," said headache specialist David Dodick, MD, American Migraine Foundation chair, in a press release.

"We hope to be able to assemble a treasure trove of data that researchers can access to find powerful clues to migraine causes and treatments," he adds. "The data collected in the registry will also help treatment providers tailor existing therapies to specific types of migraine."

"Although progress has been made in understanding the characteristics of many primary headache disorders, large-scale, long-term studies are needed to better explain disease processes, genetic factors and indicators of the progression of disease," said Dr. Dodick. "A combination patient registry and biorepository will make these studies possible."

Such databases and repositories exist for most neurological diseases and have been instrumental in advancing research and treatment. In a decade, the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging initiative has provided information for more than 350 published scientific papers. In addition to enabling collaboration among researchers throughout the world, it has led to early detection methods, established standard clinical tests, and is responsible for major genetic discoveries about the disease.

The American Migraine Foundation is dedicated to innovative research to improve the lives of people with migraine. The 36 Million Migraine campaign seeks to raise $36 million for research — $1 for every American with migraine. The campaign also seeks to raise awareness of the impact of migraine and make it a national health priority.