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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Efficacy of topiramate and valproate in chronic migraine
Marco Bartolini1, Mauro Silvestrini, Ruja Taffi
1Department of Neuroscience, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Conca 71, 60020 Ancona, Italy.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of sodium valproate and topiramate in treating chronic migraine.
Methods:
Forty-nine patients with chronic migraine were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups of treatment: 750 mg/day valproate or 75 mg/day topiramate. Efficacy variables were number of days with headache over a 30-day period and changes in Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) scores at 3 months.
Results:
At baseline the 2 groups had similar numbers of days with headache and mean MIDAS scores. At the end of the treatment period, a significant reduction in 30-day headache frequency with respect to baseline (P < 0.00001) and a significant reduction in MIDAS scores (P < 0.00001) were recorded in both groups. There were no significant differences in beneficial effects between the 2 drugs.
Discussion:
Valproate and topiramate seem to be able to manage successfully chronic migraine without substantial differences in efficacy and tolerability. This affords clear practical advantages-in the event of failure of or intolerance for one treatment, the patient may be switched to the other.
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