Now a drug that could prevent migraine attacks

Researchers have developed drugs that are aimed at preventing migraine attacks from occurring, rather than stopping the attacks once they have started. These studies are the first to test monoclonal antibodies for the prevention of migraine, and both are directed against a relatively new target in migraine prevention, the calcitonin gene-related peptide, or CGRP. Both are phase II studies, meaning larger studies are needed to confirm the results. (Read: Suffering from a migraine? Try magnetic therapy)

One study involved 163 people who had migraine from five to 14 days per month. They received either a placebo or a single IV dose of a drug called ALD403 and then were followed for 24 weeks. Those who received the drug had an average of 5.6 fewer migraine days per month, a 66-percent decrease, compared to 4.6 fewer days per month for those who received a placebo, or a 52-percent decrease. Sixteen percent of those who received the drug had no migraine days at 12 weeks, while none of those who received the placebo were free from migraine at that point. (Read: Treatment and self-care for Migraine)

In the other study, 217 people who had migraine four to 14 days per month received biweekly subcutaneous injections of either a placebo or a drug called LY2951742 for 12 weeks. Those who received the drug had an average of 4.2 fewer migraine days per month at 12 weeks, or a 63-percent decrease, while those who received placebo had 3 fewer migraine days per month, or a 42-percent decrease. (Read: 5 ways to fight migraine)

What is migrane?

Migraine is a condition which refers to severe headache that is commonly associated with signs like blind spots, nausea and/or vomiting. Migraine headaches are extremely painful and can last for hours or sometimes even for days together. Migraine headaches are often caused by certain genetic as well as environmental factors. These factors cause blood vessels in the brain to constrict and trigger headache. Triggers of migraine headache can vary among people with migraine. Certain chemicals in foods may trigger migraine headache in some people while in other factors like stress, loud noise, bright lights and poor sleep or sleep disorders can trigger migraine headache. In most migraine sufferers the pain is usually confined to half part of the brain and is pulsating or throbbing. It may worsen with physical activity like climbing the stairs or brisk walking. There is no cure for migraine but the symptoms can be controlled with medicines or pain killers and by eliminating factors that trigger migraine. Migraine can be prevented to a great extent by exercising and alternative therapies likeacupuncture. (Read: Migraine: Facts you should know)

With inputs from ANI

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