MIGRAINE TREATMENT WITH LIRAGLUTIDE

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 MIGRAINE TREATMENT WITH LIRAGLUTIDE






A widely used diabetes drug may soon offer new hope for people with migraines, thanks to its effect on brain fluid pressure. Researchers presented findings at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2025 showing that liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes, reduced monthly migraine days by more than half in a group of patients with obesity and chronic migraines.

The study, led by scientists at the University of Naples "Federico II" Headache Center, enrolled 26 adults who experienced at least 15 migraine days per month. After taking liraglutide, participants reported an average reduction of 11 monthly headache days. Their scores on the Migraine Disability Assessment Test also fell by 35 points, signaling meaningful improvements in daily life, work, and social activities.

GLP-1 agonists like liraglutide are already known for their role in managing diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, primarily by lowering blood sugar and curbing appetite. But in this trial, the reduction in body weight was minimal and not statistically significant, suggesting the benefit for migraines comes from another mechanism. Analysis confirmed that weight loss did not affect headache frequency, indicating the drug's ability to lower the pressure of brain fluid (cerebrospinal fluid).

Lead researcher Dr. Simone Braca noted that most participants felt better within two weeks of starting liraglutide, and the improvement lasted throughout the 12-week study. Notably, the team screened patients to rule out conditions like idiopathic intracranial hypertension, which can also increase brain pressure. Previous research has suggested that even subtle increases in brain fluid pressure may trigger migraines, and GLP-1 receptor agonists are known to reduce cerebrospinal fluid secretion.

Dr. Braca explained that by reducing intracranial pressure and easing compression in the brain's venous sinuses, these drugs may decrease the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)—a molecule strongly implicated in migraine attacks. This introduces a new, targetable pathway for migraine prevention.

Side effects were generally mild: 38% of participants experienced some gastrointestinal discomfort, mainly nausea and constipation, but no one stopped treatment because of these symptoms.

Following this promising pilot study, the Naples research team plans a larger, double-masked trial with direct or indirect measurement of brain fluid pressure. They also want to test other GLP-1 drugs to see if they offer similar relief with fewer side effects.

If future research supports these findings, GLP-1 receptor agonists could become a valuable new option for migraine prevention, especially for the one in seven people worldwide who suffer from migraines and don't respond well to current treatments. Repurposing liraglutide in neurology would be a notable example of finding new uses for established drugs.

About the Expert:
Dr. Simone Braca is a neurology resident and clinical research fellow at the University of Naples" "Federico I"" Headache Centre. His expertise includes pharmacodynamics, brain pressure regulation, and headache disorders. He has authored several scientific papers on migraine therapies. He serves as an early-career representative for the EAN Headache Scientific Panel, combining clinical practice with research to bring new treatments to patients.

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