Dr. Jessica Ailani, MD

Dr. Jessica Ailani, MD

Languages: English
Phone: (202) 444-8525
Fax: (877) 245-1499

Contact this Provider:

 (202) 444-8525
Specialties
  • Neurology
Conditions I Treat
  • cluster headache
  • facial pain
  • headache
  • migraine
  • neck pain
    • Show All
Procedures I Perform
  • botox for migraines
  • headache therapy
  • nerve block
  • trigger point injection
About the Provider

Jessica Ailani, MD, is board certified in neurology, with added certifications in neurology and headache. She sees patients at the McLean, Virginia, clinic.

Dr. Ailani is a clinical professor of neurology at MedStar's Georgetown University Hospital and director of the MedStar Georgetown Headache Center. The conditions she treats include migraines, cluster headaches, tension headaches, post-traumatic headaches, occipital neuralgia, headache related to neck strain and concussion-related headaches. She uses a wide variety of treatment options in headache management including Botox for chronic migraine.

Dr. Ailani is involved in numerous clinical trials focused on new treatments in the migraine space..

She is dedicated to educating the field on headache disorders.  She is a national and international speaker, invited to discuss migraine at headache and primary care meetings.  She has spoken at the American Headache Society, Diamond Headache meeting, International Headache Society, American Academy of Neurology, American Neurological Association, and has presented abstracts at both national and internation meetings. 

Because people don't always want to take medications, Dr. Ailani is very willing to work with patients in finding lifestyle solutions. If patients want medications, she is willing to treat the headache aggressively. Dr. Ailani uses an integrative approach, with care designed around what the patient wants, encompassing all possibilities.

Dr. Ailani and her husband are from New York, and enjoy the warmer weather in the D.C. area. While others might not think of Washington as "the south," it certainly is for these former Long Islanders. They appreciate the museums as well as the cultural mix of people and restaurants in the Washington metro area. Dr. Ailani also enjoys the diversity of patients she sees daily, coming from rural areas, the city, as well as internationally.

Read details about Dr. Ailani's background and accomplishments.

Videos
Education
  • Fellowship Program: Thomas Jefferson University (2009)
  • Residency Program: New York University Medical Center (2008)
  • Internship Program: Winthrop University Hospital - New York (2005)
  • Medical School: State University of NY at Stony Brook (2004)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Neurology
Publications

i. Original Papers in Refereed Journals

  1. Lipton RB.  Reversion from chronic migraine to episodic migraine in patients treated with fremanezumab: Post hoc analysis from HALO CM study.  Headache 2020; doi: 10.1111/head.13997.  PMID:
  2. Hamilton KT, Singh Halker RB, Ailani J, Butterfield RJ, Robbins MS.  Migraine Treatment in Pregnancy: An American Headache Society Survey.  Headache 2020; doi:10.1111/head.13974.  PMID: 32990322
  3. Silberstein SD, Yuan H, Najib U, Ailani J, Lopes de Morais A, Mathew PG, Liebler E, Tassorelli C, Diener HC.  Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for primary headache: A clinical update.  Cephalalgia 2020; 333102420941864. doi: 10.1177/0333102420941864.  PMID: 32718243
  4. Szperka, CL, Ailani J, Barmherzig R, et al.  Migraine Care in the Era of COVID-19; Clinical Pearls and Plea to Insurers.  Headache 2020 May;60 (5):833-842. doi:10.1111/head.13810. PMID: 32227596
  5. Upadhyaya P, Nandyala A, Ailani J. Primary Exercise Headache. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2020;20(5):9. Published 2020 Apr 15. doi:10.1007/s11910-020-01028-4.  PMID: 32296942
  6. Dodick, D.W., Lipton, R.B., Ailani, J., Halker Singh, et al. Ubrogepant, an Acute Treatment for Migraine, Improved Patient‐Reported Functional Disability and Satisfaction in 2 Single‐Attack Phase 3 Randomized Trials, ACHIEVE I and II. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain. 2020;60(4):686-700. doi:10.1111/head.13766.  PMID: 31800988
  7. Ailani J. Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Ubrogepant for the Acute Treatment of Migraine. J Fam Pract. 2020;69(1 Suppl):jfp_6901v.  PMID: 32053719
  8. Schwedt TJ, Digre K, Tepper SJ, Spare NM, Ailani J, et al. The American Registry for Migraine Research: Research Methods and Baseline Data for an Initial Patient Cohort. Headache. 2020;60(2):337–347. doi:10.1111/head.13688.  PMID: 31755111. 
  9. Ailani J, Lipton RB, Hutchinson S, et al. Long-Term Safety Evaluation of Ubrogepant for the Acute Treatment of Migraine: Phase 3, Randomized, 52-Week Extension Trial. Headache. 2020;60(1):141–152. doi:10.1111/head.13682.  PMID: 31913519
  10. Ailani J, Pearlman E, Zhang Q, Nagy AJ, Schuh K, Aurora SK. Positive response to galcanezumab following treatment failure to onabotulinumtoxinA in patients with migraine: post hoc analyses of three randomized double-blind studies. Eur J Neurol. 2020;27(3):542–549. doi:10.1111/ene.14102.  PMID: 32073660.
  11. Dodick DW, Ailani J. Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Ubrogepant for the Acute Treatment of Migraine. J Fam Pract. 2020;69(1 Suppl):S13–S22.  PMID: 32053715.
  12. Dodick DW, Lipton RB, Ailani J, et al. Ubrogepant for the Treatment of Migraine. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(23):2230–2241. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1813049.  PMID 31800988
  13. Burkett JG, Robbins MS, Robertson CE, Mete M, Saikali NP, Halker Singh RB, Ailani J.  Sphenopalatine ganglion block in primary headaches.  Neurol Clin Pract Dec 2019, 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000773; DOI: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000773
  14. Schwedt TJ , Digre K , Tepper SJ  , Spare NM, Ailani J, et al.  The American Registry for Migraine Research: Research Methods and Baseline Data for an Initial Patient Cohort.  Headache 2019;102019;10.1111/head.13688.  PMID: 31755111
  15. Lipton RB, Dodick DW, Ailani J, et al.  Effect of Ubrogepant vs Placebo on Pain and the Most Bothersome Associated Symptom in the Acute Treatment of Migraine: The ACHIEVE II Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2019;322(19):1887–1898. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.16711.  PMID 31742631
  16. Detke HC, Millen BA, Zhang Q, Samaan K, Ailani J, et al. Rapid Onset of Effect of Galcanezumab for the Prevention of Episodic Migraine: Analysis of the EVOLVE Studies Headache. 2019;10.1111/head.13691. doi:10.1111/head.13691.  PMID 31710104
  17. Ailani J, Pearlman E, Zhang Q, Nagy AJ, Schuh K, Aurora SK. Positive response to galcanezumab following treatment failure to onabotulinumtoxinA in patients with migraine: post hoc analyses of three randomized double-blind studies Eur J Neurol. 2019;10.1111/ene.14102. doi:10.1111/ene.14102.  PMID 31595600
  18. Loo LS, Ailani J, Schim J, et al. Efficacy and safety of lasmiditan in patients using concomitant migraine preventive medications: findings from SAMURAI and SPARTAN, two randomized phase 3 trials. J Headache Pain. 2019;20(1):84. doi:10.1186/s10194-019-1032-x
  19. Lipton RB, Ailani J.  Discontinuation of Acute Prescription Medication for Migraine: Results From the Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO) Study.  The Journal of Head and Face Pain 2019.  doi: 10.1111/head.13642.  PMID 31544244
  20. Ailani J, Long-term Safety Evaluation of Ubrogepant for the Acute Treatment of Migraine: Phase 3, Randomized, 52-week Extension Trial.  Headache 2019 (In press).
  21. Loo LS, Ailani J, Schim J, Baygani S, Hundemer HP, Port M, Krege JH.  Efficacy and safety of lasmiditan in patients using concomitant migraine preventive medications: findings from SAMURAI and SPARTAN, two randomized phase 3 trials.  J Headache Pain. 2019 Jul 24;20(1):84. doi: 10.1186/s10194-019-1032-x.  PMID: 31340760
  22. Halker Singh RB, Ailani J, Robbins MS.  Neuromodulation for the Acute and Preventive Therapy of Migraine and Cluster Headache. Headache. 2019 Jul;59 Suppl 2:33-49. doi: 10.1111/head.13586. PMID:31291017
  23. Stauffer VL, Dodick DW, Zhang Q, Carter JN, Ailani J, Conley RR.  Evaluation of Galcanezumab for the prevention of Episodic Migraine: The EVOLVE-1 Randomized Clinical Trial.  JAMA Neurol. 2018 Sep 1;75(9):1080-1088. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.1212. PubMed PMID: 29813147; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6143119.
  24. Siavoshi S, Dougherty C, Ailani J, Yadwadkar K, Berkowitz F.  An Unusual Case of Post-Traumatic Headache Complicated by Intracranial Hypotension. Brain Sci. 2017 Jan; 7(1): 3.doi:10.3390/brainsci7010003 PubMed PMID: 28036062 PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5297292
  25. Lipton RB, Rosen NL, Ailani J, DeGryse RE, Gillard PJ, Varon SF. OnabotulinumtoxinA improves quality of life and reduces impact of chronic migraine over one year of treatment: Pooled results from the PREEMPT randomized clinical trial program. Cephalalgia. 2016 Aug;36(9):899-908. doi:10.1177/0333102416652092. PubMed PMID: 27288354; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4959035.
  26. Robbins MS, Robertson CE, Ailani J, et al.  Procedure Headache Medicine in Neurology Residency Training: A survey of US Program Directors.  Headache. 2016 Jan;56(1):79-85. doi: 10.1111/head.12695. PubMed PMID: 26352267. 
  27. Robbins MS, Roberston CE, Kaplan E, Ailani J, et al.  The Sphenopalantine Ganglion: Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and Therapeutic Targeting in Headache.  Headache. 2016 Feb;56(2):240-58. doi:10.1111/head.12729. PubMed PMID: 26615983.
  28. Nierenburg HC, Ailani J, Malloy M, et al. Systemic Review of Preventive and Acute Treatment of Menstrual Migraine. Headache. 2015 Sep;55(8):1052-71. doi: 10.1111/head.12640. PubMedPMID: 26264117.
  29. Blumenfeld A, Ashkenazi A, Napchan U, Bender SD, Klein BC, Berliner R, Ailani J, Schim J,             Friedman DI, Charleston L 4th, Young WB, Robertson CE, Dodick DW, Silberstein SD, Robbins MS.  Expert consensus recommendations for the performance of peripheral nerve blocks for headaches--a narrative review.  Headache. 2013;53(3):437-46. doi: 10.1111/head.12053. PubMed PMID: 23406160.      

ii. Reviews or Editorials in Refereed Journals

  1. Mathew S, Ailani J.  Traditional and Novel Migraine Therapy in the Aging Population.  Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2019 May 11;23(6):42. doi: 10.1007/s11916-019-0789-6.  PMID:

31079259

  1. Upadhyaya P, Ailani J.  A review of spontaneous intracranial hypotension.  Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep.  2019 Mar 19;19(5):22. doi: 10.1007/s11910-019-0938-7.
  2. Burkett JG, Ailani J.  A review of Pseudotumor Cerebri syndrome.  Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2018 May 2;18(6):33. doi: 10.1007/s11910-018-0839-1. PubMed PMID: 29721718.
  3. Slavin M, Ailani J.  A clinical approach to addressing diet with migraine patients.  Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep.  2017 Feb;17(2):17.  doi:10.1007/s11910-018-0839-1.  PubMed PMID:28229401.
  4. Ailani J. A Practical Approach to Autonomic Dysfunction in Patients with Headache. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2016 May;16(5):41. doi:10.1007/s11910-016-0641-x. PubMed PMID: 27021770. 
  5. Xanders, L, Ailani J.  Diagnose and Adios: Diagnose and Adios: Practical Tips for the Ongoing Evaluation and Care of TAC Patients Taking Indomethacin.  Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2015;19(2):470. doi: 10.1007/s11916-014-0470-z.. PubMed PMID: 25501954.
  6. Ailani J.  Migraine and Patent Foramen Ovale.  Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep.  2014;14(2)426-4.

doi. PubMed PMID:2440240.

  1. Ailani J.  Tension-type headache and women: do sex hormones influence tension-type headache?

Current Pain Headache Reports. 2010;14(6):436-40. doi:10.1007/s11916-010-0144-4. PubMed

PMID: 20872187.

       9. Ailani J.  Chronic Tension Type Headache.  Current Pain and Headache Reports. 

2009;13(6):479-83. doi. PubMed PMID:19889291.

       10. Ailani J., Young WB.  The Role of Nerve Blocks and Botulinum Toxin Injections in the

Management of Cluster Headaches.  Current Pain and Headache Reports.  2009;13:164-167. doi

PubMed PMID: 19272284.

       

iii. Books or Chapters in Books

  1. Robbins MS, Ailani J. Epidemiology, Progression, Prognosis, and Comorbidity of Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalgias. Headache (Neurology in Practice).  Chapter 15.  2013.
  2. Singh R, Ailani J.  Neuromodulation in the Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalagias.  Scientific American Neurology Headache Medicine.  Editor Christopher H. Gottschalk.  In publication process.
  3. Siovoshi S, Doughtery C, Ailani J. The Relationship between Chronic daily headache, Comorbidities and Other Pain Syndromes. Chronic Headache, edited by Green M, Cowan R, Freitag F.  Springer, Cham.  321-333, 2019.

 

vi. Other Publications

  1. Ailani J, Graber J, Fagan I, Hansom MR, Staudinger R.  Neurosarcoidosis in a patient with AIDS.  The Aids Reader.  2009; November 17. https://www.theaidsreader.com/display/article/1145619/1488119
  2. Ailani J.  Greater Occipital Nerve Blocks and Cluster Headache.  The Pain Practioner.  2009;19:66-68.
  3. Ailani J. Tips for Migraine Control.  Neurology Reviews.  2009. https://www.neurologyreviews.com/Patientips/NR_JAN10_Tips.pdf
  4. Ailani J.  Onabutulinum toxin A and Chronic Migraine; A review of common side effects.  Headache Newsletter of the AHS Committee for Headache Education.  2012 (4): 6-7.
  5. Charleston L, Halker R, Ailani J.  Sphenopalantine Ganglion Blocks in Headache Disorders.  American Migraine Foundation 2015.
  6. Halker R, Ailani J, Dougherty C, Slavin M.  Migraine and Diet.  American Migraine Foundation 2015.
  7. Rao PM, Ailani J.  Diagnosis and treatment of migraine.  Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management.  2017;24 (11).
  8. Ailani J.  Neuromodulation Devices in Migraine: The Latest.  Medscape 2019.  https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/906559?faf=1
  9. Onorato K, Dougherty C, Ailani J.  Migraine During Pregnancy.  Practical Neurology May 2019.  https://www.practicalneurology.com
  10. Ailani J.  Medication Overuse Headache.  Practical Neurolgy May 2020.
  11. Ailani J.  Managing migraine in women.  Neurology Live 2019;2:24-25.
In the News

https://www.glamour.com/story/after-40-years-of-hell-heaven-is-migraine-relief

https://www.self.com/story/chronic-illness-elevator-pitch

https://www.self.com/story/migraine-hangover-facts

https://www.self.com/story/migraine-stigma

https://www.self.com/story/cluster-headaches-facts

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a24892333/migraine-symptoms/

https://www.prevention.com/health/a22865459/alcohol-facts-myths/

https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/health/the-truth-about-aspirin/351661504

https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/new-era-migraine-relief

https://www.phillyvoice.com/migraines-treatment-cgrp-inhibitors-effective-headache-survey/

https://www.ajmc.com/view/contemporary-management-of-migraine-an-interview-with-jessica-ailani-md

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-it-works-injectable-treatments-for-migraine

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/so-much-more-headache/202105/migraine-sufferers-appreciate-support-more-advice

https://journals.lww.com/neurotodayonline/fulltext/2020/10080/so_many_migraine_therapies,_so_many_decisions_.2.aspx

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/947086

https://journals.lww.com/neurotodayonline/blog/neurologytodayconferencereportersaanannualmeeting/pages/post.aspx?PostID=125

https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20191211/dhe-reemerges-as-magic-migraine-treatment

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/emgality-demonstrates-reduction-in-frequency-duration-and-pain-severity-in-patients-with-episodic-and-chronic-migraine-301078159.html

https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20200224/fda-approves-vyepti-first-iv-preventive-treatment-for-migraine
 

Insurance
    MedStar Health Providers participate with a wide range of health insurance products. We accept self-pay patients and the insurances plans listed below. This list is not comprehensive, it is updated periodically and is subject to change. If you do not see your health insurance plan or product listed, or if you have any questions regarding MedStar Health’s participation with your health plan, please contact your health plan to verify participation with our providers.

    Since the MedStar Health providers span the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia regions, our participation with DC, Maryland and Virginia Medical Assistance programs varies by provider group. Please contact your MedStar Physician’s Office to assist with verifying Medical Assistance participation. If you are enrolled in a Medicaid Managed Care Organization, please contact your Medicaid health plan to verify participation.

Practice Locations
  • 6858 Old Dominion Drive
    Mc Lean, VA 22101
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  • 3800 Reservoir Road Northwest
    Pasquerilla Healthcare Center
    Washington, DC 20007
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    Phone: 202-444-8525
    Fax: 877-245-1499

Member of Medical Staff
  • MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
Awards
  • American Headache Society Above and Beyond Award 2021
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© 2021 MEDSTAR HEALTH
Helpful Links
Watch Our Safety Video
Find A Doctor
Careers
Patient Portal
Make A Donation
Billing & Insurance
Contact Us
Newsroom
Directions, Maps & Parking
Nursing Opportunities
Specialty Services
Cancer
Surgery
Neurosciences
Gastroenterology
Transplant
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Orthopedics
MedStar Health Hospitals
View All Services
More Information
Quality & Patient Safety
Medical Education
Research
For Healthcare Professionals
Innovation
Philanthropy
Our Locations
Financial Assistance Policy
Notice of Nondiscrimination
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MedStar Georgetown University Hospital | 3800 Reservoir Rd., NW Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-444-2000
Site Map | Disclaimer | Feedback | Privacy Policy | Patient Rights & Responsibilities
© 2021 MEDSTAR HEALTH