Diabetes Drug Shows Potential in Halving Migraine Days, New Study Reveals
A medication originally developed for diabetes treatment has shown remarkable potential in reducing migraine frequency, according to new research presented at the 2025 European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress.
In a study conducted at the Headache Centre of the University of Naples “Federico II,” researchers administered liraglutide—a GLP-1 receptor agonist—to 26 adults diagnosed with both obesity and chronic migraine (defined as 15 or more headache days per month). On average, patients experienced 11 fewer migraine days each month, alongside a significant 35-point drop in their Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) scores, signaling notable improvements in daily life, work performance, and social interactions.
GLP-1 receptor agonists like liraglutide have garnered increasing attention in recent years for their effectiveness in managing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. The drug primarily works by lowering blood sugar levels and promoting modest weight loss through appetite suppression and reduced calorie intake.
Interestingly, participants’ body mass index (BMI) declined only slightly (from 34.01 to 33.65), and the change was not statistically significant. Further analysis confirmed that this minor weight reduction did not influence the drop in headache frequency. This strengthens the theory that the drug’s effect on intracranial pressure, rather than weight loss, may be the key to migraine relief.
Within just two weeks of treatment, most participants reported noticeable symptom improvement and a better overall quality of life. These positive effects continued over the full 12-week study period, despite minimal weight loss.
Lead author Dr. Simone Braca emphasized the importance of this finding, explaining that participants were carefully screened to eliminate conditions such as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Since previous studies have linked elevated brain pressure to migraines, the team proposed that GLP-1 agonists might work by reducing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production, thus lowering pressure within the skull.
“We believe these drugs reduce compression in the intracranial venous sinuses and suppress the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a key driver of migraines,” said Dr. Braca. “This could open a completely new pathway for migraine prevention by targeting intracranial pressure.”
While some participants experienced mild gastrointestinal side effects (mostly nausea and constipation), these symptoms were manageable and did not lead to anyone dropping out of the study.
Looking ahead, the Naples team, led by Professor Roberto De Simone, plans to launch a randomised, double-blind trial that will include direct and indirect measures of intracranial pressure. The researchers also aim to explore whether other GLP-1 drugs might offer similar migraine benefits—possibly with fewer side effects.
If validated in larger studies, GLP-1 receptor agonists could become a valuable new option for millions of people living with chronic migraines, particularly those who have not found relief with existing medications. Given liraglutide’s established use in diabetes and obesity treatment, this could be a significant case of drug repurposing in the field of neurology.
