ZubairAliAhmedMD

Neurology • Chicago, IL

Headache

Director of Neurosciences and Associate Medical Director

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Office
611 W. Roosevelt Rd
Chicago, IL 60607
Phone+1 630-670-6254

Summary

Zubair Ahmed, MD, is a physician-scientist with over 10 years of experience in healthcare, academia, and industry focusing on neuroscience research and development. He is board-certified in both neurology and headache medicine, with clinical training from Cleveland Clinic and the University of Utah. As an expert in translating bedside clinical research into practical outcomes for patients, his passion lies in simplifying healthcare for patients and alleviating its burdens on physicians. Previously, Dr. Ahmed served as faculty of leading institutions (Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University), and on the executive admissions committees of top tier medical schools (Lerner College of Medicine and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine) . He continues to serve patients as a headache specialist and is an adjunct assistant professor of neurology (University of Utah). In addition to exemplary clinical service, Dr. Ahmed has an extensive research, education, and teaching portfolio. He has authored several peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and has presented globally including at academic grand rounds and conferences.

Education & Training

University of Utah HealthFellowship, Headache Medicine, 2015 - 2016
Cleveland Clinic FoundationResidency, Neurology, 2011 - 2015
Medical College of WisconsinClass of 2011

Certifications & Licensure

OH State Medical License 2011 - 2025
UT State Medical License 2015 - 2018
IL State Medical License 2004 - 2005
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Neurology

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

Golden Apple, Recognition Award Cleveland Clinic, 2020
Outstanding Preceptor Award Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, 2020
Golden Apple, Research Recognition Cleveland Clinic, 2019
Golden Apple, Staff of the Month Cleveland Clinic, 2019
Outstanding Preceptor, 3rd Year Core Clerkship Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, 2019
Frontiers in Headache Research Scholarship American Headache Society, 2015
Best Abstract, Abstract Tournament American Headache Society, 2015
Residency Education Award Cleveland Clinic House Staff Association, 2014
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Clinical Trials

Erenumab - Comprehensive Assessment of Efficacy in (High-Frequency) Episodic Migraine Start of enrollment: 2020 Sep 15
Completed
Phase 4
A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Erenumab in Adults With Medication Overuse Headache Start of enrollment: 2019 Oct 07
Completed
Phase 4
The MOTS (Medication Overuse Treatment Strategy) Trial Start of enrollment: 2017 Jan 09
Completed
Not Applicable
Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of AMG 301 in Migraine Prevention Start of enrollment: 2017 Sep 06
Completed
Phase 2
A Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Device for Prevention of Episodic Migraine Headache Start of enrollment: 2017 Jun 30
Terminated
Not Applicable
A Study Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Fremanezumab (TEV-48125) for the Prevention of Chronic Cluster Headache (CCH) Start of enrollment: 2017 Jan 17
Terminated
Phase 3
A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of TEV-48125 (Fremanezumab) for the Prevention of Episodic Cluster Headache (ECH) Start of enrollment: 2017 Jan 19
Terminated
Phase 3
Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Administration of TEV-48125 for the Preventive Treatment of Episodic Migraine Start of enrollment: 2017 Dec 19
Completed
Phase 2, Phase 3
Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Administration of TEV-48125 for the Preventive Treatment of Chronic Migraine Start of enrollment: 2017 Dec 19
Completed
Phase 2, Phase 3
Efficacy and Safety of 2 Dose Regimens of TEV-48125 Versus Placebo for the Preventive Treatment of Episodic Migraine Start of enrollment: 2016 Mar 23
Completed
Phase 3
Comparing Efficacy and Safety of 2 Dose Regimens of Subcutaneous Administration of TEV-48125 Versus Placebo for the Preventive Treatment of Chronic Migraine Start of enrollment: 2016 Mar 22
Completed
Phase 3
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Efficacy and Tolerability of Anti-CGRP Monoclonal Antibodies in Patients Aged ≥ 65 Years With Daily or Nondaily Migraine.
Amira Salim, Sudipa Biswas, Claire Sonneborn, Olivia Hogue, Elise Hennessy
Neurology. Clinical Practice. 2025-02-01
1 citations
Synergism of Anti-CGRP Monoclonal Antibodies and OnabotulinumtoxinA in the Treatment of Chronic Migraine: A Real-World Retrospective Chart Review.
Amira Salim, Elise Hennessy, Claire Sonneborn, Olivia Hogue, Sudipa Biswas
CNS Drugs. 2024-06-01
1 citations
Clinical characteristics and patient-reported outcomes of chronic and episodic migraine patients at a US tertiary headache center: A retrospective observational study.
Zubair Ahmed, Ryan Honomichl, Stephen F Thompson, Joshua M Cohen, Andrew Schuster
Headache. 2023-06-14

Journal Articles

Clinical Characteristics and Patient-Reported Outcomes of Chronic and Episodic Migraine Patients at a United States Tertiary Headache Center
2. Ahmed, Z, Honomichl R, Thompson SF, Cohen JM, Schuster A, Thompson N, Lapin B, Udeh B, Ramirez Campos V. Krasenbaum LJ, Katzan I, Headache, 7/2023
Patients with Migraine Have Substantial Reductions in Measures of Visual Quality of Life
Zubair Ahmed, Kathleen B Digre, Melissa M Cortez, Susan Baggaley, Bradley J Katz, Alison V Crum, Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain

Lectures

What's the Real Deal with Combination Therapy
American Academy of Neurology, Denver, CO - 4/17/2024

Other

Emerging Therapies for Migraine - Making Sense of the Hype
Zubair Ahmed
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/podcasts/neuro-pathways/emerging-therapies-for-migraine
Podcast - 6/24/2019

Press Mentions

First Migraine Drug to Both Block, Tackle Headaches ‘Shifts Paradigm’ of TreatmentJuly 2nd, 2021
Do Daith Piercings Really Help with Migraine Relief? Here's What the Science SaysApril 2nd, 2021
Those Valentine's Day Chocolates Might Not Be the Cause of Your HeadacheFebruary 14th, 2020
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Grant Support

Precision Medicine in Migraine TreatmentCleveland Clinic2021–2024
Virtual Method for the Assessment and Treatment of Chronic HeadacheMigraine Research Foundation2019–2023
Clinical Characteristics, Healthcare Utilization and outcomes of Patients with MigraineTeva Pharmaceuticals2018–2019

Committees

Pharmacology and Therapeutics Section Co Chair, American Headache Society 2022 - 2024
Committee Member, Multidisciplinary Pain Medicine Fellowship Program, Core Faculty 2022 - 2023
Committee Member, Educators Collaborative 2020 - 2023
Committee Member, Admissions Committee, Lerner College of Medicine 2019 - 2023
Center for Neurologic Restoration, Cleveland Clinic, Strategic Leadership 2018 - 2023
Judge, Neurological Institute Research Training Day 2017 - 2023
Chair, Quality Improvement Officer, Cleveland Clinic 2017 - 2022
Chair, Telemedicine Task Force, Cleveland Clinic Center for Neurologic Restoration 2017 - 2018
Neurology Representative, Education Committee, Neurological Institute 2013 - 2014

Professional Memberships

American Academy of Neurology - AAN
Member
American Headache Society
Member

Industry Relationships

Consultant, Eli LillyServes on advisory board and consultant for clinical trials and outcomes research2020 - Present
Speaker, AbbvieSpeaker for Abbvie2019 - Present