GLP-1 therapy linked to lower migraine frequency

A diabetes medicine that lowers mind fluid stress has lower month-to-month migraine days by greater than half, in response to a brand new research offered at this time on the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2025.

Researchers on the Headache Heart of the College of Naples “Federico II” gave the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist liraglutide to 26 adults with weight problems and persistent migraine (outlined as ≥15 headache days monthly).

Sufferers reported a mean of 11 fewer headache days monthly, whereas incapacity scores on the Migraine Incapacity Evaluation Check dropped by 35 factors, indicating a clinically significant enchancment in work, research, and social functioning.

GLP-1 agonists have gained current widespread consideration, reshaping remedy approaches for a number of illnesses, together with diabetes and heart problems. Within the remedy of sort 2 diabetes, liraglutide helps decrease blood sugar ranges and cut back physique weight by suppressing urge for food and lowering vitality consumption.

Importantly, whereas individuals’ body-mass index declined barely (from 34.01 to 33.65), this modification was not statistically important. An evaluation of covariance confirmed that BMI discount had no impact on headache frequency, strengthening the speculation that stress modulation, not weight reduction, drives the profit.

“Most sufferers felt higher throughout the first two weeks and reported high quality of life improved considerably,” stated lead researcher Dr. Simone Braca. “The profit lasted for the complete three-month statement interval, although weight reduction was modest and statistically non-significant.”

Sufferers had been screened to exclude papilledema (optic disk swelling ensuing from elevated intracranial stress) and sixth nerve palsy, ruling out idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) as a confounding issue.

Rising proof intently hyperlinks delicate will increase in intracranial stress to migraine assaults. GLP-1-receptor agonists reminiscent of liraglutide cut back cerebrospinal fluid secretion and have already proved efficient in treating IIH. Subsequently, constructing on these observations, Dr. Braca and colleagues hypothesized that exploiting the identical mechanism of motion would possibly in the end dampen cortical and trigeminal sensitization that underlies migraine.

“We expect that, by modulating cerebrospinal fluid stress and lowering intracranial venous sinuses compression, these medicine produce a lower within the launch of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a key migraine-promoting peptide,” Dr. Braca defined. “That may pose intracranial stress management as a brand-new, pharmacologically targetable pathway.”

Delicate gastrointestinal unintended effects (primarily nausea and constipation) occurred in 38% of individuals however didn’t result in remedy discontinuation.

Following this exploratory 12-week pilot research, a randomized, double-blind trial with direct or oblique intracranial stress measurement is now being deliberate by the identical analysis group in Naples, led by professor Roberto De Simone.

“We additionally wish to decide whether or not different GLP-1 medicine can ship the identical aid, probably with even fewer gastrointestinal unintended effects,” Dr. Braca famous.

If confirmed, GLP-1-receptor agonists might provide a brand new remedy possibility for the estimated one in seven folks worldwide who reside with migraine, significantly those that don’t reply to present preventives. Given liraglutide’s established use in sort 2 diabetes and weight problems, it could signify a promising case of drug repurposing in neurology.

Offered by
European Academy of Neurology