New fund launched for more knowledge and awareness of migraine aura
A signing ceremony in the Academy Building on Monday 17 March marked the launch of the Mariella-Aura-Migraine Fund. This named fund, established by Mariella Calis-Maussen, aims to generate more knowledge, attention and awareness of migraine aura. It will support the research group led by Professor of Neurology Gisela Terwindt at the LUMC.
Representatives from the LUMC and the LUF attended the signing of the agreement by Calis-Maussen, Annetje Ottow (President of the Executive Board) and Lilian Visscher (Director of the LUF). This fulfilled a longstanding wish of the donor and laid the foundation for future research and outreach activities on migraine aura that occurs without the severe headache typically associated with migraine. Even within the medical community, it is far less understood than migraine headache.
‘With the fund, I want to bring attention and recognition to the phenomenon of auras’, said Calis-Maussen. ‘These can occur without being followed by severe headache or nausea. Auras are temporary visual disturbances caused by changes in brain activity. They strike suddenly, without warning. I experience them myself, and they affect not only my daily life but also that of my partner. I’ve found that doctors often don’t know how to respond. I hope this fund will lead to greater understanding and better support for patients who experience auras.’
Thanks to this fund, migraine aura will become an integral part of the research and outreach efforts at Professor Terwindt’s Leiden Headache Centre, home to one of the largest research groups in the Netherlands.
This signing ceremony marks an important step toward a better future for people affected by migraine aura. The LUF looks forward to the first results from this fund and to working together on meaningful developments.
If you are interested in establishing a named fund or contributing to an existing one, contact Eliane Cohen for more information at e.c.cohen@luf.leidenuniv.nl.
Photos: Monique Shaw