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Updated: Oct 5, 2025

Ex Vivo Release of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide from the Trigeminovascular System in Rodents
Published on: May 16, 2022
Calcitonin gene-related peptide and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in migraine treatment
Rogelio Dominguez-Moreno1, Thien Phu Do1, Messoud Ashina1,2
1Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen.
Purpose Of Review:
To review the latest advances in migraine management with a focus on medications specifically developed for the treatment of migraine.
Recent Findings:
Randomized clinical trials demonstrated the efficacy of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) mAbs for the preventive treatment of migraine and the small molecule CGRP receptor antagonist gepants for acute abortion and prevention of migraine attacks. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is another signaling molecule of interest and represents a potential new drug class of mechanism-based migraine medications. Drugs targeting PACAP are currently undergoing clinical trials, and the coming years will reveal whether this class of drugs will expand our therapeutic armamentarium.
Summary:
Here, we summarize the role of CGRP and PACAP in migraine pathophysiology and discuss novel therapies targeting the CGRP and PACAP signaling pathways.
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