The following article is a mini dissertation proposal written on the effects and causes of migraine. You may use this in idea generation of a related dissertation on proteomic data analysis and migraine attacks.

Understanding of topic

A migraine is classified as a severe headache lasting 4-72 hours and is accompanied disturbances to the visual senses, which can occur with or without nausea and vomiting. A migraine attack can present in several ways being isolated or recurrent at varying intervals. Migraines are sub classified into two disciplines; migraine accompanied with aura, which exhibits as flashing lights with/without numbness and tingling, and migraine without aura. With the later class, the manifested headache slowly worsens, quite often located unilaterally, migraine without aura can also be accompanied by a nauseas feeling and vomiting [1]. The international headache society (I H S) defines the criteria for migraines, in the “IHS Diagnostic criteria”[2]. Further information is available concerning the subclasses of migraines; a complex system of classification and diagnosis has been outlined [3].

Proteomics is the tool used to identify and measure proteins such as metaloproteins during and outside of migraine attacks through use of ICAT labelling and relative peak area from ion chromatography [4][5][6].

Brief research of topic

[1] Illustrated medical dictionary. Second Edition 2007. British Medical Ass. Edited by Dr Michael Peters.

[2] http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1144656-overview

[3] www.migraine-auro.org.

[4] http://www.thermo.com/eThermo/CMA/PDFs/Articles/articlesFile_18078.pdf

[5] http://molneuro.kaist.ac.kr/pdf/husi_grant.pdf

[6] Ashinal. M, Tvedskov. JF, Lipka. K, Bileli. J, Penkowa. M and Olesen. I. Matrix metalloproteinases during and outside of migraine attacks without aura. Cephalalgia March 2010 vol. 30 no. 3 303-310****VERY IMPORTANT PAPER.

Core objectives which shall be covered:

1)What is a migraine. Definitive term, criteria for migraine, IHS diagnostic criteria (International Headache Soc), Pathophysiology incorporating two main theories (Vascular theory and neurovascular theory)

2)How and when is proteomic data collected, during and outside of the migraine attack (previous studies), using which tools of measurement, time constraints, variables between individuals, consistency of data analysis [5] .How this data has/ can be manipulated and used to enhance understanding, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in past and in the future.

3)Previous studies, alterations to methods and techniques of proteomic analysis.

4)Integrate all this information providing a clear, informative style of writing to compliment data gathered by student. Discuss future directions of proteomic data analysis and migraine attacks.