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Headline: Diabetes Drug Shows Promise in Reducing Migraine Frequency
Credit: Edward Jenner from Pexels
NAPLES – A recent study presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2025 indicates that a diabetes medication, liraglutide, significantly reduces migraine frequency by lowering brain fluid pressure.
The research, conducted at the Headache Center of the University of Naples “Federico II”, involved 26 adults with obesity and chronic migraine, defined as experiencing 15 or more headache days per month.Participants were administered the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist liraglutide.
The study revealed that patients reported an average of 11 fewer headache days each month. Moreover, scores on the Migraine disability Assessment Test decreased by 35 points, suggesting a substantial improvement in their ability to function at work, in academic settings, and socially.
Liraglutide, a GLP-1 agonist, has gained recognition for its effectiveness in treating type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and promoting weight loss through appetite suppression and reduced energy intake.
While the participants’ body-mass index saw a slight decrease from 34.01 to 33.65, this change was not statistically significant. Covariance analysis confirmed that the reduction in BMI did not influence headache frequency, reinforcing the idea that the drug’s benefit stems from pressure modulation rather than weight loss.
“Most patients felt better within the first two weeks and reported quality of life improved significantly,” said lead researcher Dr. Simone Braca. “The benefit lasted for the full three-month observation period, even though weight loss was modest and statistically non-significant.”
Intracranial Pressure and Migraines
“Most patients felt better within the first two weeks and reported quality of life improved significantly.”
Prior to the study, patients were screened to rule out papilledema (optic disk swelling caused by increased intracranial pressure) and sixth nerve palsy, thereby excluding idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) as a contributing factor.
There is growing evidence suggesting a link between subtle increases in intracranial pressure and migraine attacks. GLP-1-receptor agonists like liraglutide have been shown to reduce cerebrospinal fluid secretion and are effective in treating IIH. Based on these findings, Dr. Braca and his team proposed that leveraging this mechanism could mitigate cortical and trigeminal sensitization, which are underlying factors in migraine.
“We think that, by modulating cerebrospinal fluid pressure and reducing intracranial venous sinuses compression, these drugs produce a decrease in the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a key migraine-promoting peptide,” Dr. braca explained. “That woudl pose intracranial pressure control as a brand-new, pharmacologically targetable pathway.”
Some participants (38%) experienced mild gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea and constipation, but these did not lead to anyone discontinuing the treatment.
Future Research
Building on this initial 12-week pilot study, professor Roberto De Simone and his research team in Naples are planning a randomized, double-blind trial that will involve direct or indirect measurement of intracranial pressure.
“We also want to determine whether other GLP-1 drugs can deliver the same relief, possibly with even fewer gastrointestinal side effects,” Dr. Braca noted.
If these findings are confirmed, GLP-1-receptor agonists could provide a new treatment option for the estimated one in seven people globally who suffer from migraine, especially those who do not respond to existing preventive treatments. Given that liraglutide is already used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, this could represent a valuable instance of drug repurposing in the field of neurology.
More facts: Braca S., Russo C. et al. GLP-1R agonists for the Treatment of Migraine: A Pilot Prospective Observational Study. Abstract A-25-13975.
Provided by European Academy of Neurology
Citation: from blood sugar to brain relief: GLP-1 therapy linked to lower migraine frequency (2025, June 20) retrieved 21 June 2025 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-blood-sugar-brain-relief-glp.html
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