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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for migraine prophylaxis
S Landy1, J McGinnis, D Curlin
1Wesley Headache and Neurology Clinic, University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN 38138, USA.
Headache
|December 23, 2004
Summary
Sertraline did not significantly improve migraine frequency or severity in this study. While other serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors have been explored, sertraline showed no benefit for migraine prophylaxis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Migraine prophylaxis is crucial for managing recurrent headaches.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been investigated for migraine prevention.
- Sertraline's efficacy in migraine prophylaxis has not been previously reported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of sertraline as a preventative treatment for migraine headaches.
- To compare sertraline's impact on migraine frequency and severity against a placebo.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized study involving 27 subjects with migraines.
- Baseline migraine assessments included frequency and severity over 4 weeks.
- Participants received either placebo or sertraline for 8 weeks, with daily symptom diaries.
Main Results:
- The headache index, measuring migraine frequency and severity, showed no significant improvement in the sertraline group (n=6).
- Scores at baseline (20.8), 8 weeks (17.6), and 12 weeks (16.7) were not statistically different (P=0.956).
- Findings were compared with studies on fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and paroxetine.
Conclusions:
- Sertraline demonstrated no significant efficacy in preventing migraines in this trial.
- SSRIs may be less effective than conventional migraine prophylaxis medications like beta-blockers or divalproex sodium.
- SSRIs might offer a potential therapeutic option for patients with comorbid depression who have not responded to standard treatments.
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