The main agency through which the Government support medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Innovation.
The MRC is not currently funding research specifically relating to migraine. However, a strategic grant award to Dr. Leone Ridsdale, King’s College, London for a prospective study on diagnostic management referral and one year outcome for patients with headache in primary care has recently been completed. The aim of this study was to provide evidence about the accuracy of diagnosis, the prognosis, reasons for referral, and the economic costs for patients and society.
The Department funds research to support policy and to provide the evidence needed to underpin quality improvement and service development in the NHS and through its health technology assessment programme has supported a pragmatic, randomised trial into the use of acupuncture for migraine and headache in primary care; and is planning a randomised placebo controlled trial of propranolol and Pizotifen in preventing migraine in children.
Over 75 per cent. of the Department’s total expenditure on health research is devolved to and managed by national health service organisations. Details of individual projects, including a number concerned with migraine, are available on the national research register at:
www.dh.gov.uk/research.