Blood Sugar-Lowering GLP-1 Therapy Shows Promise in Reducing Migraine Frequency
A groundbreaking study shows that the blood sugar medication liraglutide may reduce migraine frequency by lowering intracranial pressure, offering hope for new treatment strategies.
A recent study presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress has revealed that a medication traditionally used to manage blood sugar levels in diabetes may also significantly decrease migraine days. The research focused on the use of the GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide, known for its roles in glucose regulation and weight management, which was administered to 26 adults suffering from obesity and chronic migraines—defined as experiencing 15 or more headache days each month.
Participants reported an average reduction of 11 headache days per month, alongside a notable 35-point decrease in migraine-related disability scores, reflecting meaningful improvements in daily functioning, work, and social activities. Interestingly, while participants experienced a slight reduction in body mass index—from 34.01 to 33.65—the change was not statistically significant. Further analysis confirmed that this modest weight loss did not influence the reduction in migraine frequency, suggesting that the benefits are likely driven by mechanisms other than weight change.
The researchers hypothesize that the beneficial effects may be linked to the drug’s capability to modulate intracranial pressure by reducing cerebrospinal fluid secretion. Elevated intracranial pressure has been closely associated with migraine episodes, and drugs like liraglutide, which are effective in lowering cerebrospinal fluid pressure, are already used in treating conditions like idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). This insight led scientists to consider that lowering intracranial pressure could dampen the cortical and trigeminal nerve sensitization involved in migraine attacks.
Most patients experienced a rapid improvement, often within the first two weeks, with sustained benefits observed over the three-month study period. Mild gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea and constipation, were reported by 38% of participants but did not result in discontinuation of therapy.
Exclusion of individuals with papilledema and sixth nerve palsy ensured that secondary causes of increased intracranial pressure were ruled out, emphasizing the potential relevance of intracranial pressure modulation in migraine treatment. The findings suggest that impeding cerebrospinal fluid secretion and alleviating venous sinus compression may decrease the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a key promoter of migraine, opening new avenues for targeted pharmacological interventions.
Building upon these promising results, the same research team in Naples plans to conduct larger, randomized, double-blind trials involving direct or indirect intracranial pressure measurements. They aim to evaluate whether other GLP-1 drugs provide similar relief with fewer side effects, potentially offering an innovative treatment option for the one in seven people worldwide who suffer from migraines, especially those unresponsive to current preventives. Considering liraglutide’s established use in managing diabetes and obesity, these findings exemplify drug repurposing that could significantly impact neurology and migraine management.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-blood-sugar-brain-relief-glp.html
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