Cgrp May Play A Causative Role in Migraine

Calcitonin gene-related peptide, or CGRP, is linked to migraine attacks. This study investigated if CGRP causes headaches or is a result of migraines. Twelve patients with migraine without aura participated in a double-blind crossover study. They received human alphaCGRP or placebo intravenously for 20 minutes. Headache intensity was measured on a scale from 0 to 10. Two patients were excluded due to severe hypotension. One patient was excluded because of an infection. The median peak headache score was 1.0 in the CGRP group. In the placebo group, the median peak score was 0. After the first hour, all patients had headaches after CGRP treatment. Conversely, only one patient had a headache after receiving placebo. The study indicates that CGRP may play a causative role in migraine, as its administration led to significant headache development in participants. Clinical relevance: This research indicates that CGRP may be a potential target for migraine treatment.