Lee N. Kudrow

Updated on: August 4, 2025

Basic Information

Early Life and Education

Education and service were his family’s values when Lee N. Kudrow was born in Brooklyn on April 1, 1933. UC Irvine School of Medicine awarded him an M.D. after he graduated with honors.in 1963. His medical school thesis on vascular physiology foreshadowed his headache pathophysiology work. At 30, he created the first framework for integrated headache assessment in outpatient settings, exhibiting clinical insight and analytical skill.

Clinical Career and Research Milestones

After entering private practice in 1970, Dr. Kudrow rapidly became recognized for his exclusive focus on primary headache disorders. Key milestones include:

Dr. Kudrow’s 1978 controlled experiment of high-flow oxygen for cluster headaches showed a 60% reduction in attack frequency within 15 minutes, making it a first-line intervention. His 1981 textbook integrated 200 clinical examples and 50 mechanistic research, establishing modern cluster headache management techniques.

California Medical Clinic for Headache

Founded in 1985, the CMCH serves as both a clinical practice and a research institute. Under its roof:

• Clinical Volume: Treats over 5,000 headache patients annually.
• Research Output: Oversees more than 100 Phase II/III clinical trials to date.
• Training Programs: Educates over 200 fellows and residents through annual symposia since 1990.

In 2025, Dr. David B. Kudrow (Medical Director since 1995) led the CMCH in integrating CGRP antagonists into migraine therapy, attaining over 45% migraine-free rates in Phase III research. The clinic currently uses algorithm-driven medication selection, digital platforms for patient-reported outcome tracking, and multidisciplinary support teams of neurologists, pain psychologists, and physiotherapists.

Family Legacy and Recent Developments

The Kudrow family embodies a diverse blend of scientific, artistic, and entertainment achievements.

Lisa Kudrow

• Born: July 30, 1963
• Profession: Actress, Producer
• Recent Activity: Starred in No Good Deed (2024) and is slated to headline a new streaming series in late 2025.

Lisa Kudrow’s performances continue to earn critical acclaim, with her 2024 role garnering a 92 percent positive review rate on major critic aggregators. She co-authored an early paper on cluster headache epidemiology with her father, bridging her scientific roots with her entertainment career.

David B. Kudrow

• Born: August 8, 1957
• Profession: Neurologist, Medical Director of CMCH
• Recent Activity: Published two peer-reviewed articles on CGRP antagonist efficacy in February 2025.

Under his leadership, CMCH’s patient satisfaction scores exceed 98 percent. His research on monoclonal antibody therapies has influenced treatment guidelines in over 20 countries.

Helene Marla Kudrow

• Born: 1960
• Profession: Artist, Sculptor
• Recent Activity: Exhibited 15 new sculptures in Los Angeles galleries during 2024, with sales growth of 35 percent year-over-year.

Her work explores neurological themes, often inspired by the pain pathways her father studied, adding an intellectual dimension to her artistic practice.

Derrick Kudrow

• Born: 1959
• Profession: Private Individual
• Recent Activity: Maintains personal privacy; no public records of professional engagements as of 2025.

Legacy and Impact

Dr. Lee N. Kudrow’s six-decade career has cemented his status as a foundational figure in headache medicine:

• Clinical Protocols: His oxygen therapy study in 1978 and development of standardized headache protocols have been integrated into over 1,500 headache centers globally.
• Educational Outreach: The annual CMCH symposium has trained more than 4,000 healthcare professionals from 60 countries since 1990.
• Research Foundations: Over 300 citations of his 1981 textbook underscore its enduring relevance in academic curricula.
• Family Influence: His mentorship fostered a lineage of excellence—David’s continued innovations in migraine therapy, Lisa’s sustained prominence in entertainment, and Helene Marla’s artistic achievements reflect the breadth of his intellectual legacy.

The CMCH’s ongoing trials of second-generation CGRP inhibitors and non-invasive neuromodulation devices trace directly back to the clinic’s research infrastructure established by Dr. Kudrow over three decades ago.

FAQ

Who is Lee N. Kudrow?

Lee N. Kudrow is the Brooklyn-born physician and headache specialist who founded the California Medical Clinic for Headache in 1985 and authored the seminal Cluster Headache: Mechanisms and Management in 1981.

What is the California Medical Clinic for Headache?

The CMCH is a Los Angeles-based center specializing in clinical care, research, and training for primary headache disorders, treating over 5,000 patients annually and hosting global symposia since 1990.

What are Dr. Kudrow’s most notable contributions?

He conducted the first controlled oxygen therapy trial for cluster headache in 1978, standardized headache treatment protocols, and published a landmark textbook in 1981.

Is Lee N. Kudrow still active in medicine?

As of 2025, Dr. Kudrow serves as a private consultant and advisor in headache research but no longer makes public appearances.

Who continues his professional legacy?

His son, Dr. David B. Kudrow, directs CMCH, leads CGRP antagonist research, and maintains the annual headache symposium.

How has his family continued his legacy?

Lisa Kudrow achieves acclaim in entertainment, David advances headache medicine, and Helene Marla explores neurological themes through sculpture, showcasing a multidisciplinary family impact.