Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
Job description
Alstadhaug completed his medical studies at UiT in Tromsø in 1999. He became a specialist in neurology in 2007, and received his doctorate the same year with his thesis Temporal patterns of migraine. In addition to research and teaching, he has worked as a clinical neurologist for over 20 years.
Lise Rystad Øie,
Tore Wergeland,
Øyvind Olav Salvesen,
Gøril Bruvik Gravdahl,
Irina Aschehoug,
Sasha Gulati
et al.:
Candesartan versus placebo for migraine prevention in patients with episodic migraine: a randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial
Lancet Neurology 01. October 2025 DOI
Nora Stensland Bugge,
Tonje Braaten,
Kjersti Grøtta Vetvik,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
:
Migraine through puberty and menopausal transition-data from the population-based Norwegian Women and Health study (NOWAC)
Cephalalgia 2025 DOI
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Ane Skaare Sjulstad
:
Praksis bør endres ved spinalpunksjon
Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (Tidsskriftet) 2025 DOI
Cathrine Goberg Olsen,
Vetle Nilsen Malmberg,
Maria Fahlström,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Ingrid Kristine Bjørnå,
Geir Julius Braathen
et al.:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis caused by the C9orf72 expansion in Norway–prevalence, ancestry, clinical characteristics and sociodemographic status
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Espen Benjaminsen
:
Å kunne stave og skrive, men ikke lese
Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (Tidsskriftet) 2024 DOI
Ane Skaare Sjulstad,
Ole Lars Brekke,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
:
Visual inspection versus spectrophotometry for xanthochromia detection in patients with sudden onset severe headache—A diagnostic accuracy study
Nora Stensland Bugge,
Kjersti Vetvik,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Tonje Bjørndal Braaten
:
Cumulative exposure to estrogen may increase the risk of migraine in women
Camilla Novy,
Øyvind Busk,
Ole-Bjørn Tysnes,
Sigve Strand Landa,
Tori Navestad Aanjesen,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
et al.:
Repeat expansions in AR, ATXN1, ATXN2 and HTT in Norwegian patients diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Charalampos Tzoulis,
Axel Meyer Simonsen
:
Beverages, caffeine, and Parkinson's disease
2023 DOI
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Grete Bakkejord,
Hans Kristian Bø
:
Could recurrent painful ophthalmoplegic neuropathy be caused by a neurovascular conflict?: A case report
Cephalalgia Reports 2023 DOI
Marianne Sivertsen,
Hanne De Jaegher,
Ellen Christin Arntzen,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Britt Normann
:
Embodiment, tailoring, and trust are important for co-construction of meaning in physiotherapy after stroke: A qualitative study
Marianne Sivertsen,
Ellen Christin Arntzen,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Britt Normann
:
Effect of innovative vs. usual care physical therapy in subacute rehabilitation after stroke. A multicenter randomized
controlled trial
Marianne Sivertsen,
Hanne De Jaegher,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Ellen Christin Arntzen,
Britt Normann
:
The precarity of patient participation - a qualitative interview study of experiences from the acute stroke and rehabilitation journey
Cathrine Goberg Olsen,
Øyvind Løvold Busk,
Tori Navestad Aanjesen,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Ingrid Kristine Bjørnå,
Geir Julius Braathen
et al.:
Genetic Epidemiology of Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis in Norway: A 2-Year Population-Based Study
Merethe Karlberg,
Hanne Thoresen,
Diana Hristova Berg,
Oana-Gratiela Ciopat,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
:
En mann i 40-årene med akutt forvirring
Andreas Kildahl Jaklin,
Espen Benjaminsen,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
:
Effectiveness of Natalizumab in Achieving No Evidence of Disease Activity (NEDA-3)—Data From a Local Norwegian Cohort
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Hilde Karen Ofte,
Kai Ivar Müller,
Anna P. Andreou
:
Sudden caffeine withdrawal triggers migraine—A randomized controlled trial
Espen Benjaminsen,
Kjell-Morten Myhr,
Nina Agnethe Grytten Torkildsen,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
:
Comorbidity in multiple sclerosis patients from Nordland County, Norway - validated data from the Norwegian Patient Registry
Ane Skaare Sjulstad,
Francis Odeh,
Farid Baloch,
Diana Hristova Berg,
Kathrine Grønning Arntzen,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
:
Occurrence of postdural puncture headache—A randomized controlled trial comparing 22G Sprotte and Quincke
Ane Skaare Sjulstad,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
:
What is currently the best investigational approach to the patient with sudden-onset severe headache?
Espen Benjaminsen,
Kjell-Morten Myhr,
Nina Grytten,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
:
Validation of the multiple sclerosis diagnosis in the Norwegian Patient Registry
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Anna P. Andreou
:
Caffeine and primary (migraine) headaches-friend or foe?
Anne Hege Aamodt,
Marte-Helene Bjørk,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Guttorm Eldøen,
Aud Nome Dueland,
Tine Poole
et al.:
Praktisk håndtering av hodepine
Espen Benjaminsen,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Marie Gulsvik,
Farid Baloch,
Francis Odeh
:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Nordland county, Norway, 2000–2015: prevalence, incidence, and clinical features
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration 2018 DOI
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Hilde Karen Ofte,
Espen Saxhaug Kristoffersen
:
Prävention und Therapie des Medikamentenübergebrauchskopfschmerzes
Der Schmerz (Berlin. Print) 2018 DOI
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Randi Hallstensen,
Francis Odeh
:
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient with systemic mastocytosis treated with cladribine
Journal of Clinical Virology 2017 DOI
Svein Ivar Bekkelund,
Kai Ivar Müller,
Aleksander Wilhelmsen,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
:
Photophobia and seasonal variation of migraine in a subarctic population
Headache 2017 DOI
Kai Ivar Müller,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Svein Ivar Bekkelund
:
A randomized trial of telemedicine efficacy and safety for nonacute headaches
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Kjell-Morten Myhr,
Christine Hanssen Rinaldo
:
Progredierende multifokal leukoencefalopati
Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (Tidsskriftet) 12. December 2017 DOI
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Hilde Karen Ofte,
Espen Saxhaug Kristoffersen
:
Preventing and treating medication overuse headache
Kai Ivar Müller,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Svein Ivar Bekkelund
:
Headache patients' satisfaction with telemedicine: a 12-month follow-up randomized non-inferiority trial
Espen Benjaminsen,
Kjell-Morten Myhr,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
:
The prevalence and characteristics of epilepsy in patients with multiple sclerosis in Nordland county, Norway
Seizure 2017 DOI
Kai Ivar Müller,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Svein Ivar Bekkelund
:
Telemedicine in the management of non-acute headaches: A prospective,open-labelled non-inferiority,randomised clinical trial
Cephalalgia 2016 DOI
Kai Ivar Müller,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Svein Ivar Bekkelund
:
Acceptability, feasibility, and cost of telemedicine for nonacute headaches: A randomized study comparing video and traditional consultations
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Hanne Winge Kvarenes,
Jan Fredrik Prytz,
Christian A. Vedeler
:
A case of relapsing-remitting facial palsy and ipsilateral brachial plexopathy caused by HSV-1
Journal of Clinical Virology 2016 DOI
Hilde Karen Ofte,
Erling Andreas Tronvik,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
:
Lack of association between cluster headache and PER3 clock gene polymorphism
Hilde Karen Ofte,
Therese von Hanno,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
:
Reduced cranial parasympathetic tone during the remission phase of cluster headache
Cephalalgia 2015 DOI
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Anne Hege Aamodt
:
Etablering av medisinske sannheter
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Erling Andreas Tronvik,
Anne Hege Aamodt
:
Transient ischemic attack or migraine with aura?
Marianne Sivertsen,
Hanne De Jaegher,
Ellen Christin Arntzen,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Britt Normann
:
Felles meningsskaping i fysioterapi etter hjerneslag
2022
Marianne Sivertsen,
Hanne De Jaegher,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Ellen Christin Arntzen,
Britt Normann
:
Den sårbare deltakelsen. En kvalitativ studie om erfaringer fra akutt hjerneslag og rehabilitering.
2022
Marianne Sivertsen,
Ellen Christin Arntzen,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Britt Normann
:
The precarious patient participation - a qualitative interview study of experiences from the acute stroke and rehabilitation journey
2022
Marianne Sivertsen,
Hanne De Jaegher,
Ellen Christin Arntzen,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Britt Normann
:
Embodiment, tailoring and trust and their importance for co-construction of meaning in physiotherapy after a stroke
2022
Marianne Sivertsen,
Ellen Christin Arntzen,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Britt Normann
:
Individualized, comprehensive physiotherapy vs usual care. Effects on balance, gait and physical activity in subacute rehabilitation after stroke: a multicentre randomized controlled trial
2022
Kathrine Grønning Arntzen,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
:
Room tilt illusion and subclavian steal - A case report
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Christine Hanssen Rinaldo,
Liv T. N. Osnes,
Irini Sereti,
Hilde Karen Ofte
:
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy treated with interleukin-7
Clinical Infection in Practice 2020 DOI
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Merethe Karlberg
:
Hemichorea-hemiballisme
Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (Tidsskriftet) 2019 DOI
Kjell-Morten Myhr,
Stephan Schuler,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
:
Long-term, real-world effectiveness of natalizumab treatment in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS): data from ≥6 years in the TYSABRI® Observational Program (TOP) Nordic and global cohorts.
2019
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug,
Hilde Karen Ofte
:
Spot On?
Headache 2018 DOI
Hilde Karen Ofte,
Therese von Hanno,
Karl Bjørnar Alstadhaug
:
Retinal vasculature in cluster headache
Cephalalgia 2017 DOI
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Research interests
Alstadhaug serves as a senior consultant neurologist at Nordlandssykehuset in Bodø, and his research is primarily clinical, focusing on everything from stroke and infections in the central nervous system to demyelinating diseases and various headache conditions. He is particularly interested in migraine and the role of the hypothalamus in primary headaches. In 2014-2016 he was a visiting researcher at Imperial College in London where he worked with an experimental animal model.
Teaching
Alstadhaug has extensive experience as a teacher and lecturer. He has taught final-year medical students since 2009, and has written three textbooks, Migreneboken ("The Migraine Book", 2011), Den Nevrologiske Pasient ("The Neurological Patient", 2022) and Klinisk Nevrobiologi ("Clinical Neurobiology", 2025).