A diabetes drug may be opening a new front in the fight against chronic migraines. A pilot study led by Dr Simone Braca at the University of Naples suggests that liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist typically prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, could significantly reduce monthly migraine days.
The findings were presented at the 2025 European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress and point to the potential of a new class of migraine-prevention drugs.
Global Migraine Burden Highlights Unmet Need
Migraine continues to affect over 1 billion people worldwide, many of whom endure chronic symptoms. Defined as 15 or more headache days per month, chronic migraine can be debilitating. Current treatments typically involve medications and lifestyle changes to avoid triggers such as poor sleep, stress, and environmental stimuli.
“Despite new advancements, there is still an unmet need in migraine treatment, imposing a substantial burden on patients,” said Braca, who also serves as a clinical research fellow at the Headache Centre of the University of Naples.
Pilot Study Tests Liraglutide in Chronic Migraine Patients
The small-scale study involved 31 participants living with both obesity and chronic migraine. The patients were administered liraglutide—known commercially as Saxenda or Victoza—over a period of three months. The research team chose this drug due to its potential to regulate intracranial pressure, which they believe plays a key role in migraine pathology.
“Since GLP-1R agonists are known to greatly modulate and reduce intracranial pressure, we therefore hypothesised that these drugs could be effective in migraine,” Braca explained.
Clinical Outcomes Indicate Meaningful Reductions
The participants had an average of nine fewer migraine days per month by the end of the study. Additionally, their Migraine Disability Assessment Test (MIDAS) scores dropped by 32 points which is a notable improvement in day-to-day functioning.
“They saw their headache days per month drastically reduced, with consequent improvement in their quality of life,” Braca reported. “This means that they saw their migraine-related burden drastically reduced, adding a nuanced view on their quality of life improvement beyond the raw number of headache days.”
Neurology Experts Signal Interest and Caution
The findings have piqued interest from neurologists across the globe. Dr Hsinlin Thomas Cheng of Harvard Medical School said the data fits well with existing biological theories: “The hypothesis is supported by the facts that there are GLP-1 receptors in the choroid plexus… and weight loss is an essential component of headache management.”
Dr Luis Felipe Tornes of the Miami Neuroscience Institute emphasised the real-world impact: “Seeing a diabetes medication cut migraine days in half was exciting… That’s life-changing for someone living with near-constant pain.”
He added, “The effect didn’t seem to be from weight loss — it may be helping by reducing intracranial pressure, which opens up a whole new way to think about treating migraines.”
Dr Hao Huang of Hackensack University Medical Center acknowledged the potential but urged caution: “The reduction in headache days is impressive… it would be helpful to see a larger group of migraine patients in studies.”
Research Team Plans Larger Randomised Trials
While the findings are promising, researchers caution that this was a small exploratory study without direct measurement of intracranial pressure. Braca and his team are planning a more robust, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to validate their results.
“If confirmed by subsequent larger, multicentre, randomised, and controlled studies, GLP-1 agonists may represent a novel class of drugs for migraine prevention,” said Braca.