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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache

Published on: June 2, 2014

Pediatric migraine prophylaxis with divalproex

A Pakalnis1, G Greenberg, M E Drake

  • 1Department of Neurology, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Children's Hospital, Columbus 43205, USA. pakalnisa@pediatrics.ohio-state.edu

Journal of Child Neurology
|October 24, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Divalproex sodium effectively reduced migraine frequency in pediatric patients. The medication was most effective for migraine alone or with comorbid epilepsy, showing good tolerability and no significant side effects.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Pediatric migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder.
  • Comorbid conditions like psychiatric disorders and epilepsy can complicate migraine management.
  • Divalproex sodium is a known antiepileptic and mood-stabilizing drug with potential antimigraine effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of divalproex sodium for migraine prophylaxis in pediatric patients.
  • To assess the influence of comorbid psychiatric disorders or epilepsy on divalproex sodium treatment outcomes.
  • To determine optimal dosing and response patterns in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective follow-up of 23 pediatric patients (ages 7-17) with migraine treated with divalproex sodium.
  • Evaluation of comorbid psychiatric disorders and epilepsy.
  • Assessment of migraine reduction (≥50% reduction, headache freedom) and divalproex sodium dosage (3.1-32.9 mg/kg/day).

Main Results:

  • Fifteen patients (65%) experienced >50% migraine reduction; six (26%) became headache-free.
  • Divalproex sodium doses did not differ significantly between groups.
  • Favorable response and headache freedom were more common in patients with migraine alone or comorbid epilepsy compared to those with psychiatric comorbidity.

Conclusions:

  • Divalproex sodium is a well-tolerated preventive treatment for pediatric migraine.
  • Patients with migraine alone or comorbid epilepsy showed better treatment response than those with psychiatric comorbidity.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the differential effects of divalproex sodium in pediatric migraine with comorbidities.

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