Professor Lars Edvinsson is a world-renowned authority in cerebral circulation and migraine research, recognized globally for his pioneering contributions to neurovascular medicine. He currently serves as Professor of Internal Medicine at Lund University and senior consultant at Skåne University Hospital in Sweden, with an additional appointment as Professor in Clinical Pharmacology at Copenhagen University. After completing his MD with PhD in 1980 at Lund University Medical Faculty, he established himself as a leading researcher in vascular innervation and receptor regulation, becoming specialist in Clinical Pharmacology in 1985 and Internal Medicine in 1988. His leadership extends to founding the Glostrup Research Park in Copenhagen and serving as president of the International Headache Society, where he has shaped global research directions in headache medicine for decades.
Edvinsson's groundbreaking research on the sensory nervous system and cerebral vasculature has fundamentally transformed migraine treatment paradigms, with his discoveries regarding CGRP pathways catalyzing the development of revolutionary therapies. His extensive work on vascular innervation and receptor regulation has been instrumental in understanding roles of autonomic and sensory mechanisms in cerebral circulation, documented across over 950 scientific publications that form the foundation of modern neurovascular medicine. The practical application of his research has directly led to the introduction of small molecular CGRP-blockers for acute migraine attacks and antibody therapies targeting CGRP or its receptors for chronic migraine prophylaxis, representing the first specific migraine treatments developed from understanding of the disease's pathophysiology. His authoritative textbook Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism has served as the definitive reference in the field since its first publication in 1993, educating generations of researchers and clinicians on the complex interactions between blood flow and neurological function.
As a visionary leader in headache research, Edvinsson has been instrumental in building international collaborative networks that have accelerated the translation of basic science discoveries into clinical applications for migraine sufferers worldwide. His role as chairman of the Swedish Migraine Society and board member of the European Headache Foundation has positioned him at the forefront of patient advocacy and clinical guideline development in headache medicine. With his methodological expertise spanning immunohistochemistry, molecular biology, and advanced vascular research techniques, he continues to lead his division of Experimental Vascular Research at Lund University while maintaining his directorship of the Glostrup Research Park. Professor Edvinsson's enduring influence ensures that his pioneering work will continue to shape the next generation of neurovascular researchers and clinicians, cementing his legacy as one of the most impactful contributors to headache medicine in modern medical history.
