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Updated: Aug 4, 2026
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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
New and emerging prophylactic agents for migraine
Abouch V Krymchantowski1, Marcelo E Bigal, Pedro F Moreira
1Department of Neurology, Universidade Federal Fluminense and Institute of Neurology Deolindo Couto, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. abouchkrym@globo.com
CNS Drugs
|August 3, 2002
Summary
New migraine prevention drugs are emerging, with divalproex sodium recommended and topiramate showing promise. Further research is needed for other agents like riboflavin and gabapentin.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Established migraine prophylaxis drugs have unknown mechanisms of action.
- Migraine pathophysiology may involve cortical hyperexcitability and neurotransmitter imbalances.
- Research is identifying new agents for migraine prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent literature on new agents for migraine prophylaxis.
- To identify potentially effective treatments for frequent, severe, and long-lasting migraine attacks.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of MEDLINE (1998-2001) and headache textbooks (2000-2001).
- Inclusion of controlled and uncontrolled clinical studies and abstracts.
- Search terms included: migraine, preventive, prophylactic, and treatment.
Main Results:
- Divalproex sodium is recommended for migraine prevention.
- Lamotrigine may help prevent migraine aura; topiramate is promising pending further trials.
- Riboflavin shows promise, but needs comparison with established drugs.
- Gabapentin, magnesium, lisinopril, and botulinum toxin A lack sufficient data.
- Tiagabine, levetiracetam, zonisamide, and petasites require controlled data for efficacy confirmation.
- Montelukast was effective in an open trial but not in a controlled trial.
Conclusions:
- Divalproex sodium is a recommended option for migraine prophylaxis.
- Several new agents show potential but require further rigorous clinical validation.
- Advances in neuroscience are expected to yield more effective and better-tolerated migraine treatments.
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