Clinical Review of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Inhibitors for Migraines

Authors

Sandrine N. Martin, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Neurology

Advisor

Dr. Bernard Toney Jr., DMSc., PA-C

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Migraine is a complex, ubiquitous debilitating neurovascular disorder affecting over one billion people, transcending adult and pediatric populations, gender, and ethnicity. Migraine’s pervasive scope earns it the distinction as the second most common cause of disability worldwide, with a total impact cost of $23 billion in the United States. Refractory migraines, despite a plethora of treatments, led to the discovery of the trigeminal neuropeptide calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP), a potent vasodilator, pivotal to migraine generation. 2018 saw the launch of novel anti-migraine medication, monoclonal antibodies, targeting either the CGRP receptor or ligand, and in 2019, CGRP receptor antagonists, both designed to disrupt the migraine-generating pathway. This article is a clinical review of real-world current data, on calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibitor efficacy, tolerability, and safety since inception, for migraine prevention, compared to traditional anti-migraine preventative medication, for evidence-based practice.

Keywords: cgrp, calcitonin gene-related peptide, migraine, disability, guideline, efficacy

Recommended Citation

Martin SN. Clinical Review of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Inhibitors for Migraines. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2023; 5(1).