A preliminary study suggests that a drug that can temporarily erase wrinkles, Botulinum toxin type A (Botox), may also help reduce frequency of migraine headaches that are described as

crushing, vicelike or eye-popping.

Researchers conducting clinical trials on botulinum toxin type A to treat facial lines recognized a correlation between injections and the alleviation of migraine symptoms.

According to authors," The initial promise of a new prophylactic [preventive] therapy for migraines was met by the challenge of replication of these results. Researchers have searched for patient

characteristics that may predict a favorable treatment response."

Christine C. Kim, M.D., then of SkinCare Physicians, Chestnut Hill, Mass., and now in private practice in Encino, Calif., and colleagues studied 18 patients (average age 50.9) who had already

received or were planning to receive botulinum injections for cosmetic purposes but also reported having migraines. Of those, 10 reported imploding headaches-described by adjectives like

crushing and vice-like-or ocular headaches, reported to feel like an eye is popping out or that someone is pushing a finger into an eye.

The authors writes," These preliminary data are intriguing, and our results provide support for the hypothesis that patients with migraine that is characterized by imploding and ocular headaches

are more responsive to botulinum toxin type A than those with migraine characterized by exploding headaches. Our findings invite consideration of using botulinum toxin

type A injections to prevent migraine headaches and may promote the role of the dermatologist in the treatment of patients with migraine. However, well-controlled trials need to be conducted

to confirm these findings." (With Input from Agencies)