New treatments for headache

Neurol Sci. 2014 May:35 Suppl 1:89-97. doi: 10.1007/s10072-014-1747-z.

Abstract

Migraine and cluster headache are primary headache disorders commonly encountered in clinical practice. Despite the profound disability caused by these primary headache disorders, available acute and preventive treatment options are limited. Recent understanding of headache pathophysiology has led to the development of new drug formulations and novel drug targets that are extremely promising. This article will highlight several of the new treatments that are currently under investigation including novel delivery mechanisms of already existing medications, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists, antibodies to CGRP and its receptor, serotonin receptor agonists, transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor modulators, orexin receptor antagonists, glial cell modulators, and neuromodulation. If data is supportive, these therapies will be welcome additions to the headache specialist's armamentarium.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cluster Headache / drug therapy*
  • Cluster Headache / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Migraine Disorders / physiopathology
  • Neuroglia / drug effects
  • Neuroglia / physiology
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / administration & dosage
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / adverse effects
  • Orexin Receptor Antagonists
  • Orexin Receptors / metabolism
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists / administration & dosage
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists / adverse effects
  • TRPV Cation Channels / metabolism
  • Tryptamines / administration & dosage
  • Tryptamines / adverse effects
  • Tryptamines / economics

Substances

  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Orexin Receptor Antagonists
  • Orexin Receptors
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists
  • TRPV Cation Channels
  • TRPV1 protein, human
  • Tryptamines