Friday, June 23 2006 12:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Scientists have developed a hand-held magnetic device to treat migraine, a form of headache that is usually very intense.

The hairdryer size-electronic gadget, developed by the California-based migraine specialist firm 'Neuralieve', is placed at the back of the head and uses a gentle pulse to disrupt the 'electrical storm' which is believed to lead to migraines, reported the online edition of the Daily Mail.

The Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation device has been tested by a team of scientists based at the Ohio State University Medical Centre. It could be on sale in shops from autumn next year at a cost of 1,000 pounds with a further 15 pounds for each treatment.

"It releases electrical energy through a magnet, and this magnetic field then passes into the brain. This then interrupts the nerve signalling process which would otherwise result in a migraine," said Gary Story, president of Neuralieve.

More than two-thirds of patients who have been given the new treatment during trials claimed they experienced no pain or only slight discomfort two hours after first experiencing the onset of a headache.

"The idea was conceived about three years ago but finally we are able to build a device that people would be able to use at home," Story said.

One in eight people in Britain suffer from debilitating headaches and treatment costs the National Health Service one billion pounds each year.