Can a targeted botox shot quiet the Brain's pain center for chronic migraine?

NCT ID NCT04069897

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: St. Olavs Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Aug 11, 2026 · Last updated Aug 12, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial investigates whether injecting Botox near a nerve bundle in the face, called the sphenopalatine ganglion, can reduce the number of severe headache days in people with chronic migraine that hasn't improved with other treatments. Participants receive either Botox or a placebo injection on each side of the face, guided by a special imaging device, and are followed for 12 weeks. The main goal is to see if the treatment lowers the frequency of moderate-to-severe headache days compared to placebo.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injected near the sphenopalatine ganglion
What this could lead to: If effective, this could offer a new add-on treatment option for people with chronic migraine who haven't responded to other therapies, potentially reducing the number of severe headache days.
What could go wrong: This is a phase 3 trial, but results are not yet known. The effect may be modest, and there is a risk of side effects from the injection procedure. Success in this trial does not guarantee long-term benefit or approval.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

migraine disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

MIGRAINE DISORDERS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Haukeland University Hospital, department of Neurology

Bergen, Norway
Nevroklinikken Universitetet i Oslo, Oslo Universitetssykehus HF

Oslo, Norway
Nordland Hospital, department of Neurology

Bodø, Norway
St Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital

Trondheim, Norway

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