Summary: A recent study found that people with obesity and persistent pain significantly reduced the number of head days per month. Participants reported a month-long reduction in headaches and improved illness outcomes and quality of life on average.
The benefit, which appears to be related to weight loss, is linked to a new head mechanism, which suggests a decreased brain fluid pressure. These findings could lead to the possible repurposing of GLP-1 sensor receptors as a novel class of migraine preventives.
Important Information
- Reduced Migraine Time by Third: Liraglutide reduced pain time by an average of 11 on a monthly basis.
- No About Losing Weight: Enhancement was unrelated to body-mass index changes.
- New Target Pathway: Modulating mental substance strain may reduce CGRP and headache exposure.
Western Academy of Neurology as a resource
A new study presented today at the European Academy of Neurology ( EAN ) Congress 2025 found that a diabetes medication that lowers brain fluid pressure has reduced migraine days by more than half.
26 adults with obesity and chronic migraine ( defined as 15 headache days per month ) were given the glucagon-like peptide-1 ( GLP-1 ) receptor agonist liraglutide by researchers at the University of Naples ‘” Federico II.”
Patients reported a monthly pain reduction of 11 on average and a 35-point decrease in their impairment on the Migraine Disability Assessment Test, which indicates a clinically significant improvement in their work, study, and social functioning.
GLP-1 receptors have recently attracted a lot of attention, changing therapy strategies for a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Liraglutide helps lower blood sugar levels and lower body fat in the treatment of type 2 diabetes by reducing cravings and reducing electricity consumption.
Importantly, participants ‘ body-mass index decreased slightly ( from 34.01 to 33.65 ), but this change was not statistically significant. The lack of a BMI reduction in headache frequency was confirmed by a correlation analysis, which supports the idea that stress modulation, no weight loss, drives the benefit.
Direct scientist Dr. Simone Braca stated that” the majority of patients felt better within the first two week and reported improved quality of life significantly.”
Even though the weight loss was humble and mathematically non-significant, the advantage lasted for the entire three-month observation period.
In order to rule out idiopathic intracranial hypertension ( IIH) as a confounding factor, patients were screened to exclude papilledema ( optic disc swelling brought on by increased intracranial pressure ) and sixth nerve palsy. Information for acute attacks is growing in a compelling way.  ,
Liraglutide and other GLP-1-receptor receptors have already shown promise in treating IIH and had reduced cerebrospinal fluid production.
So, Dr. Braca and colleagues hypothesized that using the exact mechanism of action might ultimately lessen cerebral and trigeminal sensitization that underlie migraine.
We believe that these medications lower the release of the calcitonin gene-related peptide ( CGRP ), a crucial migraine-promoting peptide, by modulating cerebrospinal fluid pressure and reducing intracranial venous sinus compression, according to Dr. Braca.
That would imply that cranial stress control is a brand-new, medicinally targetable pathway.
38 % of participants experienced mild gastrointestinal side effects, primarily nausea and diarrhea, but this did not prevent the patient from stopping their treatment.
A randomized, double-blind test with direct or indirect cerebral stress is now being planned by the same study group in Naples, led by professor Roberto De Simone, following this experimental 12-week captain research.
We also want to know whether additional GLP-1 medications can relieve you the same, perhaps with fewer digestive side effects, according to Dr. Braca.
GLP-1-receptor ligands may be tested to determine a new therapy option for the estimated one in seven people who suffer from migraines abroad, especially those who do not respond to current preventives.
Given that liraglutide has been proven effective in obesity and type 2 diabetes, this may indicate a convincing example of drug repurposing in neurology.
About this information from neuropharmacology study
Author: Luke Paskins
Source: European Academy of Neurology
Contact: Luke Paskins – European Academy of Neurology
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: The findings will be presented at the 2025 Congress of the European Academy of Neurology ( EAN ).
