Migraine Breakthrough: Drug Shows Promise in Treating Early Symptoms
A medication already prescribed for acute migraine treatment, ubrogepant, has demonstrated effectiveness in alleviating symptoms that precede the actual headache, sometimes by hours or even days. These early symptoms can be debilitating for migraine sufferers. This marks the first instance of a drug effectively targeting and reducing the discomfort associated with the prodromal phase of migraine, including heightened sensitivity to light and to sounds, nausea, mental fog and stiffness of the neck.
The findings from the phase III clinical trial were published in Nature Medicine.
Understanding the Prodromal Phase
The migraine process often begins well before the onset of intense head pain.Approximately 60% of migraine patients experience a prodromal phase, characterized by symptoms such as:
- Excessive tiredness
- Mood changes
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli
- Muscle rigidity
These symptoms, while not painful, can be unpleasant and serve as warning signs of an impending migraine attack. In certain specific cases, these symptoms are followed by an aura, a neurological phenomenon involving visual, linguistic, or sensory disturbances that precede the headache.
Did You Know?
The term “migraine” comes from the Greek word “hemikrania,” meaning “half of the head,” referring to the typical unilateral pain experienced during a migraine attack.
The Science Behind the Symptoms
It is believed that prodromal migraine symptoms are linked to disturbances in brain circuits involving the hypothalamus, a brain region that regulates various bodily functions. Ubrogepant works by blocking receptors that bind to molecules that increase nerve sensitivity in the head and skull during a migraine.Historically, these prodromal symptoms have not received sufficient attention, despite thier significant impact on the overall migraine experience.
The Clinical Trial
neuroscientists at King’s College London conducted a 60-day trial involving 438 participants, aged 18 to 75, with a history of migraines and the ability to recognize their prodromal symptoms. Participants were instructed to take either an ubrogepant tablet or a placebo whenever they detected the onset of these symptoms,without knowing which they were taking.They then reported on the effects of the pill.
Promising results
The study revealed that participants who took ubrogepant reported a reduction in non-painful symptoms compared to those who took the placebo. Specifically, volunteers reported improvements in:
- Concentration capacity after one hour
- Reduced sensitivity to light after two hours
- Less fatigue and neck rigidity after three hours
The drug also attenuated sensitivity to sound and nausea. The study did not evaluate the effects on auras.
Looking Ahead
While the effects were statistically contained compared to the placebo, the data suggests that ubrogepant may be especially effective for a subset of patients. Even though the drug was already used in the acute phase, the data show that it works even better if you take it in the prodromal phase
of the migraine. The medicine has demonstrated its clinical potential against symptoms that can substantially interfere with daily activities.
Pro Tip
Keeping a migraine diary can help you identify triggers and better understand your migraine patterns, allowing for more effective management and treatment.
