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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
05:23
Investigating Migraine-Like Behavior Using Light Aversion in Mice
Published on: August 11, 2021
CGRP receptor antagonists: toward a novel migraine therapy
1Department of Pain & Migraine Research, Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, PA 19486, USA. christopher_salvatore@merck.com
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
|April 7, 2011
Summary
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists offer a promising new treatment for migraine, a disabling neurological disorder. Blocking the CGRP receptor has shown effectiveness in clinical trials for migraine therapy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Migraine is a prevalent and disabling neurological disorder affecting 11% of adults globally.
- It causes significant disability and lost productivity.
- Current treatments need improvement, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in migraine pathophysiology.
- To discuss the CGRP receptor and the development of its antagonists.
- To examine the site of action for CGRP receptor antagonists in migraine treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on CGRP biology and migraine.
- Analysis of evidence linking CGRP to migraine pathogenesis.
- Examination of clinical data on CGRP receptor antagonist efficacy.
Main Results:
- CGRP is a vasoactive neuropeptide implicated in migraine pathogenesis.
- Elevated CGRP levels during migraine headaches normalize with pain relief.
- Small molecule CGRP receptor antagonists demonstrate clinical effectiveness in treating migraine.
Conclusions:
- CGRP plays a key role in the pathophysiology of migraine.
- CGRP receptor antagonists represent a significant advance in antimigraine therapy.
- Blocking the CGRP receptor is a validated strategy for migraine treatment.
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