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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Detection and Quantification of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) in Human Plasma Using a Modified Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Published on: June 16, 2023
Plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide in diagnosing and predicting paediatric migraine
1Department of Paediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
Plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels are elevated in children with migraine headaches. Higher CGRP concentrations during attacks aid in diagnosing paediatric migraine.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Migraine is a common neurological disorder in children.
- Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is implicated in migraine pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diagnostic utility of plasma CGRP in paediatric migraine.
- To compare CGRP levels during and between migraine attacks in children.
Main Methods:
- Prospective collection of 134 blood samples from 66 migraineurs, 33 non-migraine headache patients, and 22 non-headache controls (aged 4-18).
- Plasma CGRP concentrations measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
- Disability assessed using the Pediatric MIgraine Disability ASsessment (PedMIDAS) questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Migraineurs exhibited significantly higher plasma CGRP levels compared to non-migraine patients (P = 0.007).
- Plasma CGRP levels were elevated during migraine attacks versus between attacks in migraineurs (P = 0.036).
- A CGRP threshold of 55.1 pg/ml demonstrated 81% sensitivity and 75% specificity for predicting paediatric migraine.
Conclusions:
- Plasma CGRP is a valuable biomarker for diagnosing paediatric migraine.
- Elevated CGRP levels during attacks support its role in migraine episodes.
- Further research could explore CGRP levels in relation to migraine severity.
Abstract:
To investigate the role of plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in paediatric migraine, we prospectively collected 134 blood samples during or between attacks from 66 migraine, 33 non-migraine headache (non-migraine) and 22 non-headache patients, aged 4-18 years. Plasma CGRP concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and disability by Pediatric MIgraine Disability ASsessment (PedMIDAS) questionnaire. Migraineurs had higher plasma CGRP levels than non-migraine patients (P = 0.007). The attack level was higher than the non-attack level in migraine (P = 0.036), but not in non-migraine, patients. This was also revealed in paired comparison (n = 9, P = 0.015 vs. n = 4, P = 0.47). Using a threshold of 55.1 pg/ml, the sensitivity of the attack level in predicting migraine was 0.81, and specificity 0.75. The PedMIDAS score tended to be higher in the high CGRP (> 200 pg/ml, n = 7) group than in the low (< 200 pg/ml, n = 33) group (26.07 vs. 19.32, P = 0.16) using Mann-Whitney test. Plasma CGRP is useful for diagnosis in paediatric migraine.
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