Induction of Migraine Attacks With Aura Using Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Migraine Aura; Migraine With Aura
• Interventions: Drug: Calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP); Drug: Placebo

• Registration Number: NCT07021859
• Lead Sponsor: Danish Headache Center

Brief Summary

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a key neuropeptide in migraine pathophysiology and treatment. This study investigates whether CGRP administration can trigger aura in individuals with a diagnosis of migraine with aura.

Detailed Description

Recent open-label findings show that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a key player in migraine, can trigger aura attacks-despite its limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. This suggests CGRP might induce migraine aura via trigeminovascular activation, the same pathway involved in migraine headache. If confirmed, this could reshape treatment strategies for patients diagnosed with migraine with aura. To validate this effect and rule out nocebo influence, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is essential. Its outcomes could inform future therapies targeting the migraine-aura connection.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-06
• Study First Submitted: 2025-06-06
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-06-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-06-06
• Study Start: 2025-06-10
• Study First Posted: 2025-06-15
• Last Update Posted: 2025-06-15
• Primary Completion: 2026-06-01
• Study Completion: 2026-12-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 21

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 18 to 65 years of age upon entry into screening
• History of migraine with aura for ≥ 12 months according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd Edition (ICHD-3) criteria
• ≥ 1 monthly day with aura that meets criteria as aura on average across the three months before screening
• Provision of informed consent prior to initiation of any study-specific activities/procedures.

Exclusion Criteria

• Any history of a primary or secondary headache disorder other than migraine without aura, migraine with aura, chronic migraine, and episodic tension-type headache
• History or evidence of any other clinically significant disorder, condition, or disease (except for those outlined above) that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would pose a risk to subject safety or interfere with study evaluation, procedures or completion
• The subject is at risk of self-harm or harm to others as evidenced by past suicidal behavior
• Female subjects of childbearing potential with a positive pregnancy test during any study visit
• Cardiovascular disease of any kind, including cerebrovascular diseases
• Hypertension (systolic blood pressure of ≥150 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure of ≥100 mmHg) prior to the start of infusion on the experimental day
• Hypotension (systolic blood pressure of ≤90 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure of ≤50 mmHg)
• Initiation, discontinuation, or change of dosing of prophylactic medications within 2 months prior to study inclusion
• Intake of acute medications (e.g. analgesics, triptans) within 48 hours of infusion start
• Headache of any intensity within 48 hours of infusion start
• Aura within 48 hours of infusion start

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)	Calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP)	CGRP will be administered by intravenous infusion.
Placebo	Placebo	Placebo (isotonic saline) will be administered by intravenous infusion.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Incidence of migraine attacks with aura	12 hours	Difference in incidence of migraine attack with aura between CGRP and placebo during the 12-hour observational period after infusion start.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Incidence of migraine attacks without aura	12 hours	Difference in incidence of migraine headache between CGRP and placebo during the 12-hour observational period after infusion start.
Headache intensity scores	12 hours	Difference in area under the curve (AUC) for headache intensity scores between CGRP and placebo during the 12-hour observational period after infusion start.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Rigshospitalet Glostrup; 🇩🇰 Glostrup, Denmark