Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) Levels of Children and Adolescents With Migraine: A Systematic Review and

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Guoliang Zhu1, Guifang Yan2, Ying Luo3

  • 1School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.

European Journal of Pain (London, England)
|November 28, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels are elevated in children with migraine, suggesting potential as a diagnostic biomarker. Further high-quality studies are needed to confirm CGRP as a therapeutic target for pediatric migraine.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a potential therapeutic target for migraine.
  • Clinical evidence on CGRP levels in pediatric migraine is limited.
  • Understanding CGRP dynamics is crucial for effective migraine management in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct a meta-analysis exploring the relationship between blood CGRP levels and pediatric migraine.
  • To synthesize current evidence on CGRP in children experiencing migraines.
  • To assess the potential of CGRP as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, and WanFang Med databases.
  • Inclusion of observational studies reporting CGRP levels in pediatric migraine.
  • Quality assessment using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation guidelines.

Main Results:

  • Eight studies were included, showing significantly elevated CGRP levels in children with migraine (SMD=1.44).
  • Higher CGRP levels were observed during both ictal (SMD=2.39) and interictal phases (SMD=1.27).
  • Elevated CGRP levels were noted in pediatric migraine patients with (SMD=1.47) and without (SMD=1.11) aura compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • CGRP levels may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker for pediatric migraine.
  • CGRP warrants further investigation as a prophylactic therapeutic target in this population.
  • High-quality longitudinal studies are necessary to validate these findings and explore CGRP's role as an acute-phase therapeutic target.
Abstract

Keywords:
calcitonin gene‐related peptidemeta‐analysisobservational studypaediatric migrainesystematic review

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