Migraine Minute News Update

New findings from the OVERCOME study show that improving or worsening migraine status can have a major impact on our work lives, quality of life, stigma, and treatment needs. Molly O'Brien breaks it down in this Migraine Minute News Update.

Read the study: https://bit.ly/4h9NkTJ

SCRIPT

New information from the OVERCOME study shows how improving or worsening migraine-related symptoms can affect other areas of our lives.

The recent analysis looked at data from more than 11 thousand people with migraine over the course of a year. Based on monthly headache days, migraine-related disability, and quality of life, participants noted if migraine improved, worsened, or showed no change.

Just over 40 percent said overall…migraine improved. About 24 percent said migraine worsened and about 35 percent said no change.

The migraine improved group saw other benefits:

Improved work productivity, less migraine stigma, better physical function, improved health-related quality of life. And they were less likely to overuse acute medications.

Those whose migraine worsened saw an increase in monthly headache days and greater migraine-related disability. Migraine had a more of a negative impact on their work, and they had an increase in need for acute and preventive medication.

Could fertility treatment affect migraine and headache? A new review of more than 100 studies, published in the Journal of Headache and Pain, finds headache may be an overlooked and understudied side effect of fertility treatments. Molly O'Brien has more details in this Migraine Minute News Update.

Read The Source: bit.ly/4hAFO6j

Creative Commons: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Script: A new review draws attention to migraine and headache as a potentially overlooked side effect of fertility treatment. Researchers reviewed more than 100 studies involving the relationship between fertility treatment and headache, in people with and without pre-existing headache disorders.

They found headache was reported with several treatment approaches, including different hormone therapies, ovulation induction, and IVF. But the reported rates of headache and migraine varied widely from study to study.

Researchers say people with a history of migraine may see a higher risk of severe headache during fertility treatment. But evidence is still inconsistent.

The big takeaway? Researchers found that even though some FDA- and EMA-approved fertility drugs list headache or migraine as a common side effect, it seems there is no standardized reporting on any symptom details.

Because headache and migraine are common in women of reproductive age, researchers say future studies should look at headache type, report timing and intensity, and consider other factors.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs will now cover the use of at-home neuromodulation devices for migraine and depression. Molly O'Brien has details in this Migraine Minute News Update. Read More: https://bit.ly/4bKB9uO

Script: More treatment options for US Veterans with migraine and/or depression are now available and covered by the VA. This is promising news, as migraine and depression are some of the most common health conditions treated in the VA health system, with more than half a million veterans diagnosed with migraine in the VA.

Neuroscience medical technology company Neurolief announced in a press release that two of their prescription neuromodulation therapies will be covered and available for at-home use through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Relivion MG for the acute treatment of migraine and ProlivRx for adults with major depressive disorder who have not achieved adequate relief from antidepressants.

A study published in Headache showed Relivion MG to be safe and effective for acute treatment. In the study, 46 percent of those who used Relivion MG were pain-free at the two-hour mark compared with about 12 percent who used a sham device.

Could a new migraine preventive treatment be on the horizon? A late-stage clinical trial shows promising new results for a migraine preventive in the pipeline. Molly O'Brien breaks it down in this Migraine Minute News Update.

Link: https://bit.ly/3RFNARH

FDA Drug Label: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/125274s125lbl.pdf#page=30

Script: Research shows promising new results in a late-stage clinical trial for a migraine preventive treatment in the pipeline.

Biopharmaceutical company Ipsen announced that during Phase III trials, abobotulinumtoxinA reduced monthly migraine days in adults with both episodic and chronic migraine– that's compared with placebo.

This is notable as abobotulinumtoxinA, brand name Dysport, is the first botulinum toxin to demonstrate a drop in monthly migraine days for episodic migraine.

The drug was well tolerated in the trial. No new safety concerns were reported.

Director of the MedStar Georgetown Headache Center Dr. Jessica Ailani said, "Preventive treatment options for episodic migraine remain limited. These clinical trial results are encouraging because they suggest a potential new preventative therapy that, if approved, may benefit a broad group of patients."

A real-world study suggests one migraine preventive may be more effective than some commonly prescribed oral treatments at three months. Molly O'Brien breaks down the study in this Migraine Minute News Update.

Read More: https://bit.ly/3TpJmhM

Creative Commons: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Script: New research published in Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain, shows that one CGRP MAB may be more effective than some traditional oral preventives.

Triumph is an international, observational study that compared the effectiveness of galcanezumab, sold in the US under brand name Emgality, with other preventive treatments.

Researchers found that more people saw a meaningful drop in monthly migraine headache days at the three-month mark after starting galcanezumab compared to a traditional oral preventive like topiramate or amitriptyline. This was true for both episodic and chronic migraine patients.

Study authors say this evidence may help in clinical practice as it shows the effectiveness of treatments across diverse populations and healthcare settings. Authors also note limitations, including that short-term results may be biased because galcanezumab starts with a double dose and becomes effective quickly, while it takes time to gradually reach an effective dose of topiramate and amitriptyline.

Ever wonder if there was a way to make OnabotulinumtoxinA injections less painful? New research suggests using this treatment before injections may help. Molly O'Brien explains in this Migraine Minute news update.

Read the study: https://bit.ly/4wRHAFh

Script: For many people with chronic migraine, onabotulinumtoxinA, also known as Botox, is an effective treatment, but it can come with injection pain and post-treatment headache.

New research shows there may be an option to help ease that pain. A study published in HEADACHE, found that adults who used a REN, or Remote Electrical Neuromodulation device, felt less pain during injections. The study also found that only 15 percent of those who used the REN device reported post-treatment headache, compared with 55 percent of those who used the fake device.

The REN is sold under brand name Nerivio. It's a wearable, drug-free device that delivers electrical pulses to the arm, triggering the body's natural pain relief process.

Researchers say these results show Remote Electrical Neuromodulation could be a safe and easy way to make injection treatment sessions more comfortable.

Celebrating the Fourth of July with migraine is not easy. This festive holiday can be packed with sensory overload and migraine triggers. In this Migraine Minute, Molly O'Brien shares tips to help you enjoy the celebration while protecting your health.

Check out our triggers webpage: https://bit.ly/4kFOZRf

Script: While the Fourth of July can be a fun holiday to celebrate in the States, it can be tough for folks with migraine. Why? Well, there are so many factors that can be stacked against you. Think about it, heat, big crowds, staying up late, BBQ foods and drinks that might have triggering ingredients…Not to mention the bright flashes and loud bangs of fireworks. Research even shows exposure to sulfur dioxide, a common byproduct of fireworks, may trigger migraine attacks.

If you have migraine and still want to enjoy the holiday, here are some tips from our migraine community: Stay hydrated, wear earplugs, watch fireworks from afar or skip altogether, bring migraine-safe food and drinks to your cookout, wear sunglasses or migraine glasses and keep a consistent routine.

Don't forget to check out AMD's updated triggers page, where you can learn more about common migraine triggers and how to manage them.

Why does fighting migraine stigma matter? That stigma we face may be more harmful than many people realize. Research shows increased stigma is linked with higher disease burden. Molly O'Brien breaks it all down in this Migraine Minute News Update.

Read the study: https://bit.ly/4f8J6wv

Script: June is Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, and you're likely going to hear a lot about fighting migraine stigma. Let's take a look at why it really matters. Stigma is when someone is judged, dismissed, or treated unfairly because of a trait or condition. Through research, we're learning how harmful migraine stigma can be. According to the OVERCOME study, more than 30 percent of those living with migraine said they experience migraine stigma often or very often. The study found that increased migraine stigma was linked with higher disability, more burden between attacks, and lower quality of life, regardless of how many monthly headache days someone has.

Researchers say the social context of migraine might actually have a bigger impact on quality of life than the number of headache days!

With that, fighting stigma and spreading migraine awareness may help better the lives of all of us living with migraine.

A new study shows body pain is more common and widespread in people with migraine or tension-type headache, and may be linked to a greater disease burden. Molly O'Brien breaks down the study in this Migraine Minute News Update.

Read more: https://bit.ly/41BVe10

Script: According to a study published in the Journal of Headache and Pain, body pain is more prevalent and widespread in people with either migraine or tension-type headache.

Researchers in South Korea wanted to better understand the relationship between headache and body pain. They reviewed data from 1,870 people, finding that those with migraine or tension-type headaches reported more body pain than those without.

The location of pain differed between groups. Migraine was linked with neck pain, while tension-type headache showed a link to upper back pain.

The study also found that the more widespread and intense the body pain, the greater the headache burden, including more frequent and severe monthly headache days, lower quality of life, along with more depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Researchers say the findings may point to central sensitization, where the brain and spinal cord become overly sensitive to pain signals.

According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, fremanezumab led to a greater reduction in migraine days per month than placebo in children and adolescents with episodic migraine. Molly O'Brien breaks down the study in this Migraine Minute News Update.

Read the study: https://bit.ly/4csROT5

Script:

In August of 2025, the FDA approved fremanezumab, sold under brand name Ajovy, for prevention of episodic migraine in kids aged 6 to 17 who meet weight requirements. Now we're getting a look at additional research that supports how effective the drug is.

Over the course of three months, 123 young people received a once-per-month injection of fremanezumab, while the other 111 participants got the placebo.

According to the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, participants who received fremanezumab had fewer migraine days than those in the placebo group. They also had fewer moderate to severe headache days.

Nearly half of the group taking the treatment saw at least a 50 percent drop in migraine days…

The most common side effect was redness at the injection site. Study authors say a longer follow-up is needed to better understand safety and how well the drug works in kids and teens.