Ultrasound assessment of cerebrovascular risk via breath-holding index in migraine patients treated with anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies: a pilot study.

Migraine is a highly disabling condition affecting many people worldwide. New treatments using monoclonal antibodies target a specific pathway related to migraines. However, their effects on blood flow in the brain are still unclear. This pilot study aimed to assess the cerebrovascular risk in migraine patients. Researchers used a technique called transcranial color-coded Doppler ultrasonography to measure blood flow. They calculated the breath-holding index (BHI) in 40 patients with migraine without aura and compared it to 40 healthy individuals. The breath-holding test helped evaluate how well the brain's blood vessels respond to carbon dioxide. Results showed that BHI values in migraine patients were not below safe thresholds. This suggests that their cerebrovascular risk may not be significantly increased by the treatment. Overall, this study highlights the need for further research into the effects of these monoclonal antibodies on brain blood flow. Clinical relevance: This study indicates that anti-CGRP treatments may not increase cerebrovascular risk in migraine patients.