Visual snow syndrome is probably not mediated by CGRP: A case series

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Visual snow syndrome (VSS) is a debilitating neurological condition with no established effective treatments.
• VSS frequently co-occurs with migraine, suggesting potential shared pathophysiological mechanisms.
• Monoclonal antibodies targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathways are effective for migraine treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of CGRP-targeted monoclonal antibodies in patients with visual snow syndrome.
• To determine if CGRP or its receptor plays a role in the pathophysiology of VSS.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 15 patients diagnosed with VSS.
• Patients received at least one dose of a monoclonal antibody against CGRP or its receptor.
• Assessment of treatment response for both VSS and comorbid migraine symptoms.

Main Results:

• No patients with VSS reported any improvement in their visual snow symptoms.
• Patients with coexisting migraine experienced significant relief from migraine headaches.
• Migraine aura symptoms were not improved by the CGRP-targeted therapy.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest that CGRP is not a significant mediator in the pathophysiology of visual snow syndrome.
• The CGRP receptor pathway does not appear to be critically involved in the network underlying VSS.
• While CGRP-targeted therapies are effective for migraine, they do not offer a therapeutic option for VSS itself.