About me
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.
Clinical areas of focus
- Botox For Migraines
- Cluster Headache
- Facial Pain
- Headache
- Migraine
- Neck Pain
- Nerve Block
- Neuralgia
- Tension Headache
Conditions and procedures
Procedures I perform
- Botox For Migraines
- Headache Therapy
- Nerve Block
- Trigger Point Injection
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- United Optimum Choice
- Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Open Access
- Aetna Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Carefirst BlueChoice HMO
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- United Nursing Home Plan (C-SNP
- HumanaChoice Honor’s plan PPO
- Cigna POS Open Access & Open Access Plus
- Beech Street PPO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Aetna Choice POS & Choice POS II
- United Select Plus (POS)
- Innovation Health: Open POS II
- Cigna HMO Open Access
- Innovation Health: PPO
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Medicaid - Maryland
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)
- United Choice
- D-SNP)
- Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- United Mamsi Life & Health
- Aetna Open HMO/Open HMO Option/Open EPO Plus
- United Student Resources
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- United MD IPA Preferred (POS)
- Tricare for Life East
- Cigna EPO
- United Navigate
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Cigna HMO & Network (HMO)
- United Choice Plus
- Cigna Choice Fund PPO
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN)
- Cigna POS/Network POS
- CareFirst BC/BS Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Kaiser Medicare Plus
- Anthem HMO - BCBS of VA HealthKeepers
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Kaiser Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Anthem (POS & Open Access POS) BCBS of VA HealthKeepers
- I-SNP
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA
- Medicaid - District of Columbia
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (VA CCN)
- Carefirst BlueChoice Open Access
- United Group Medicare Advantage Plans
- Traditional Medicare Fee for Service
- Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CareFirst NASCO
- United Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Anthem Plus BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Kaiser Flexible Choice
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Virginia Premier
- Carefirst Healthy Blue (HMO/POS)
- United Erickson Advantage Plans
- CareFirst Blue Card Program (Out-of-area BCBS plans)
- WellPoint Maryland
- Kaiser HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- CareFirst Administrators
- United GEHA (for all other states) Compass Rose
- Medicaid - Virginia
- Kaiser Select-Added Choice
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Innovation Health: HMO & EPO Plus
- United Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Cigna Preferred Medicare
- Innovation Health: Indemnity
- United Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO)
- Kaiser Signature
- United MD IPA (HMO)
- United Golden Rule
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Innovation Health: POS Plus
- Innovation Health: Network Only Plus
- United Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Cigna Network Open Access
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO) |
- Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)
- United Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- United AARP Medicare Complete
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Kaiser Select
- Cigna Indemnity
- Carefirst Blue Preferred PPO
- United Core Essential (HMO)
- Innovation Health: Open POS Plus
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Tricare East Prime
- Cigna PPO and PPO Plus
- Carefirst EPO
- Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus)
- Innovation Health: POS
- Aetna HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature-Added Choice
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Tricare Reserve Select
- HumanaChoice PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Tricare East Select
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- First Health PPO
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Neurology
Fellowship: Thomas Jefferson University Headache Fellowship (2009)
Residency: New York University Langone Medical Center-GME (2008)
Graduate: SUNY Stony Brook University (2004)
Awards
- American Headache Society Above and Beyond Award 2021
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
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
i. Original Papers in Refereed Journals
- 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:
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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).
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ailani J. Migraine and Patent Foramen Ovale. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2014;14(2)426-4.
doi. PubMed PMID:2440240.
- 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
- Robbins MS, Ailani J. Epidemiology, Progression, Prognosis, and Comorbidity of Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalgias. Headache (Neurology in Practice). Chapter 15. 2013.
- Singh R, Ailani J. Neuromodulation in the Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalagias. Scientific American Neurology Headache Medicine. Editor Christopher H. Gottschalk. In publication process.
- 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
- Ailani J, Graber J, Fagan I, Hansom MR, Staudinger R. Neurosarcoidosis in a patient with AIDS. The Aids Reader. 2009; November 17. http://www.theaidsreader.com/display/article/1145619/1488119
- Ailani J. Greater Occipital Nerve Blocks and Cluster Headache. The Pain Practioner. 2009;19:66-68.
- Ailani J. Tips for Migraine Control. Neurology Reviews. 2009. http://www.neurologyreviews.com/Patientips/NR_JAN10_Tips.pdf
- 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.
- Charleston L, Halker R, Ailani J. Sphenopalantine Ganglion Blocks in Headache Disorders. American Migraine Foundation 2015.
- Halker R, Ailani J, Dougherty C, Slavin M. Migraine and Diet. American Migraine Foundation 2015.
- Rao PM, Ailani J. Diagnosis and treatment of migraine. Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management. 2017;24 (11).
- Ailani J. Neuromodulation Devices in Migraine: The Latest. Medscape 2019. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/906559?faf=1
- Onorato K, Dougherty C, Ailani J. Migraine During Pregnancy. Practical Neurology May 2019. https://www.practicalneurology.com
- Ailani J. Medication Overuse Headache. Practical Neurolgy May 2020.
- Ailani J. Managing migraine in women. Neurology Live 2019;2:24-25.