× Key messages Background Summary Conclusions

Biomarker identification in primary headache

Key messages

  • Researchers have attempted to identify biomarkers in the headache field for decades.
  • In order to improve success in biomarker discovery, researchers need to consider what leads to variability between study outcomes.
  • Improved understanding of confounding factors that influence outcomes will inform future study design.
  • Sex distribution, age, aura, menstrual cycle, study quality, specimen source, blood specimen, and blood sampling site and timing have been identified as potential confounders.1,2
  • Standardization and multivariate analyses are methods that could lead to a better understanding of confounding factors and improve biomarker discovery.