Our professionals
Dr. Margarita Sánchez del Río
Specialist in Neurology.
Primary focus on the diagnosis and treatment of headaches.
Professional career
MD degree from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (1991).
Specialist in Neurology (MIR residency) at Fundación Jiménez Díaz (1995).
Fellowship at the MDA H. Houston Merritt Clinical Research Center for Muscular Dystrophy and Related Diseases (Prof. Dr. DiMauro) and Pediatric Neurology (Prof. Dr. Darryl C. De Vivo), College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, NY (1994).
Migraine Research Fellow, Stroke and Neurovascular Regulation, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (1997-2000).
Migraine Clinical Fellow, Jefferson Headache Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA (2000).
January 2001-November 2002 – Development of the Headache Unit at Fundación Hospital Alcorcón, Madrid.
From 2002 until March 2018, she served as Director of the Headache Program in the Headache Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Ruber Internacional.
RESEARCH AREAS
- Since 2001, she has conducted multiple clinical trials in headache disorders (migraine, cluster headache, etc.).
- Identification of biological markers of migraine chronification through the characterization of genetic and epigenetic variations. Doctoral Program: Applied Medicine and Biomedicine.
AREAS OF INTEREST
- Study of migraine pathophysiology using functional neuroimaging.
- Mechanisms involved in headache pain.
- Migraine with aura: pathogenic mechanisms. Migraine with aura as a vascular risk factor.
Activity
In teaching
- Participation as an invited speaker in various national Neurology courses, meetings, and conferences.
In research
- She has published more than 80 scientific articles in national and international journals.
- Co-author of 23 book chapters and monographs on headaches. Co-author of the Headache Clinical Practice Guidelines since 2011 (Spanish Society of Neurology), as well as international consensus documents on migraine management..
- She has delivered numerous lectures and presented written communications at national and international conferences related to her specialty.
- In 2023, she chaired the 17th Annual Congress of the European Headache Federation in Barcelona.
Awards
- 1997- International Headache Society/Glaxo Wellcome Research Fellowship to work on Functional MRI imaging during migraine attacks. Massachusetts General Hospital. Harvard Medical School. Boston. MA.
- 1998-99 AASH/Glaxo Wellcome Clinical Research Award to work on Functional MRI imaging in migraine. Massachusetts General Hospital. Harvard Medical School. Boston. MA.
- 2000 AASH/Merck US Human Clinical Fellowship Stipend. Jefferson Headache Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
- 2000-2003 P.P.A. Humphrey IHS-GlaxoSmithKline Research Fellowship 2000. For Headache Research in Spain.
- 2003- Best oral presentation " Subcortical activation in paroxysmal headaches: SUNCT and pure V-1 neuralgia". Spanish Society of Neurology.
- 2003/4: Rafael Hervada Award for Biomedical Research. Functional magnetic resonance and migraine: study of cortical reactivity and its relationship with photophobia.
Scientific Award in Headaches 2011. Spanish Society of Neurology.
Scientific organizations
- Since 1997- International Headache Society
- Since 1998- American Association for the study of Headache
- 1999-2002- Residents and Trainees subcommittee of I.H.S.
- Since 1999- Spanish Society of Neurology. Headache Group (GECSEN)
- 2000- Junior Secretary of Headache section EFNS
- 2001- Member of the CONTINUUM course. American Academy of Neurology program.
- 2001- Co-director of Controversies in Headaches, educational program for neurologists (GSK).
- 2004- Scientific Committee of the Mediterranean Neurological Society.
- 2005-2011- Contributing Editor of Headache Currents (American Headache Society)
- Since 2005- Member of the Editorial Committee of Neurologia
- Since 2006- Member of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Headache Study Group. S.E.N.
- 2007-2011: Member of the Executive Committee of the International Headache Society
- Since 2010- Member of the Clinical Trials Committee Hospital Ruber Internacional
- 2011- Co-director of scientific advances in headaches. Ramon Areces Foundation
- 2011-2016 - Reviewer of scientific communications of the Spanish Society of Neurology
- 2018- Member of the Board of the European Headache Society