Brain scans reveal how migraine drug works
NCT ID NCT04271202
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at how galcanezumab, a newer migraine prevention drug, affects the brain. Researchers used MRI scans to see if the drug changes brain structure in people with chronic migraine. The goal was to learn more about where the drug works, not to test if it helps symptoms. 64 adults with frequent migraines took part.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
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64 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jul 2020
- Finished
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Nov 2023
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Between the ages of 18 and 65 years * Been previously diagnosed with migraine (with or without aura), in accordance with the ICHD-3 (International Classification of Headache Disorders) criteria * Experiences between 10 to 25 headaches days per month (during the last 3 months), with at least 8 of them being migraine days during which the migraines lasted more than 4 hours if untreated * Onset of migraine at age 50 years or younger * Agrees to refrain from initiating or changing the type, dosage, or frequency of any prophylactic medications for indications other than migraine that may interfere with the study objectives (e.g., antidepressants, anticonvulsants, beta-adrenergic blockers, etc.) * Able to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Currently on a regimen of 1 or more migraine preventative therapy * Other significant pain problem (e.g., cancer pain, fibromyalgia, other head or facial pain disorder) that may confound the study assessments * Known or suspected severe cardiac disease (e.g., symptomatic coronary artery disease, prior myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure) * Known or suspected cerebrovascular disease (e.g., prior stroke or transient ischemic attack, symptomatic carotid artery disease, prior carotid endarterectomy or other vascular neck surgery) * Abnormal baseline electrocardiogram (ECG) within the last year (e.g., second or third-degree heart block, prolonged QT interval, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, history of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, clinically significant premature ventricular contraction) * Uncontrolled high blood pressure (systolic \>160 mm Hg, diastolic \>100 mm Hg) after 3 measurements within 24 hours * Known history or suspicion of secondary headache * Known history or suspicion of substance abuse or addiction (within the last 5 years) * Currently using marijuana (including medical marijuana) or has used marijuana (including medical marijuana) or cannabidiol oil within the last 1 year * Currently takes simple analgesics or NSAIDs \>15 days per month or triptans, ergots, or combined analgesics \>10 days per month for headaches or other body pain * Currently takes prescription opioids for headaches or body pain * Undergone nerve block (occipital or other) in the head or neck within the last 3 months * Received botulinum toxin or anti-CGRP-mAb injections within the last 6 months * Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant during the study period, or of childbearing years and unwilling to use an accepted form of birth control * Participating in any other therapeutic clinical investigation or has participated in a clinical trial in the preceding 30 days * Belongs to a vulnerable population or has any condition such that his or her ability to provide informed consent, comply with the follow-up requirements, or provide self-assessments is compromised. * A relative of or an employee of the Investigator or the clinical study site * Psychiatric or cognitive disorder and/or behavioral problems that, in the opinion of the clinician, may interfere with the study * History of claustrophobia
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Pain Clinic at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Brookline, Massachusetts, 02445, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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