Design and created by Guideline Central in participation with the Consensus and Physician Experts.

Consensus and Physician Experts
Publication Date:

An accurate diagnosis of migraine depends on obtaining an accurate patient history.101 However, because of overlapping symptoms, differentiating migraine from other headache disorders can be challenging.18,22-25
Characteristic symptoms of migraine facilitate differential diagnosis from other primary headache disorders, including tension-type and cluster headache.20
Key distinctive features of migraine are:20,26-28
While these are distinctive features, migraine can also be bilateral and may not be associated with nausea.28,29
*Drugs of ≥ 2 classes, each with an analgesic effect or acting as adjuvants.
Clinical studies have used neuroimaging techniques to assess the structural and functional effects of migraine.49-51
CGRP is a 37–amino acid neuropeptide.59 It is a member of the calcitonin family of peptides that also includes amylin (AMY), adrenomedullin (AM), and calcitonin.61,62
Clinical evidence suggests that CGRP may play a causal role in migraine.63-65
Plasma CGRP levels (measured from external jugular blood) have been shown to increase significantly during migraine attacks63 and return to normal following relief of migraine pain with triptan therapy.64 Infusion of CGRP can induce migraine-like attacks in individuals who suffer from migraine.65
Infusion of CGRP can induce migraine-like attacks in individuals who have migraine.48
The calcitonin family of peptides binds transmembrane-bound, G-protein receptors that share subunits in different configurations. These are referred to as the calcitonin family of receptors. The CGRP receptor (CGRP-R) is a member of the calcitonin family of receptors.60
Each receptor is a heterodimer consisting of a receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP) and either the calcitonin receptor (CTR) or calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) G-protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling subunit.60
There are three distinct types of RAMPs, designated RAMP1, RAMP2, and RAMP3, each encoded by a separate gene.
Creation of a functional CGRP-R requires the co-expression of both CLR and RAMP1 and the formation of a heterodimer, which translocates from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell membrane.66-69
Activation of G-protein–coupled receptors involves a cyclical model, whereby receptors can be recycled back to the cell surface.70,71 Ligand binding leads to transient receptor activation and induces a cellular response via second-messenger signaling.70,71 Receptors are then inactivated and internalized via endocytosis before being trafficked to either recycling or degradative pathways.66,70-72
CGRP-Rs are found in multiple areas involved in migraine pathophysiology, including:73-75
CGRP-Rs are also expressed on numerous cell types, such as:68,73-76
Activation of CGRP-R in the trigeminovascular system plays a critical role in peripheral and central events that ultimately lead to the experience of migraine pain.73,15,77
Following nerve stimulation, CGRP is released from its storage vesicles through the process of calcium-dependent exocytosis.59
This peripheral release of CGRP from trigeminal nerve endings is thought to trigger multiple responses induced by CGRP-R binding, which eventually lead to the sensitization of nociceptor trigeminal neurons.73,15
The stimulation of peripheral nociceptive trigeminal neurons is hypothesized to relay the migraine pain signal through the brainstem into the brain, ultimately leading to the experience of migraine pain.77,12
Central effects of CGRP may involve pain transmission through sensitization and activation of central processes (eg, feedback from a sensitized brain).77
The complex role of CGRP–CGRP-R signaling in migraine pathophysiology may involve multiple processes in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, including:
Research has yet to determine which of these processes play a causal role in, or if they occur as a result of, or in parallel with, migraine. Additional processes yet to be defined may also be involved.73,15
In addition to binding to CGRP-R, CGRP has high affinity for another calcitonin receptor, the amylin 1 receptor (AMY1-R).60,61 These 2 receptors have the RAMP1 subunit in common.60
CGRP, amylin (AMY), and their receptors are expressed in various tissues and play established roles in some key physiologic processes.59,60,66,76,86-96,81-85 CGRP signaling through CGRP-R plays several firmly established physiologic roles, including nociception, sensory modulation, and vasodilation.59
The main source of amylin ligand is the pancreatic β-cells, and AMY1-R is expressed in the vasculature and the trigeminal ganglion.61,81-83
Various roles for AMY1-R have been suggested as a result of its location and the expression pattern of its ligands.62,81,82 Amylin signaling through AMY1-R plays well-established physiologic roles in regulating postprandial glucose levels, glycemic control, and satiation.81,82
Of the calcitonin receptors, only the CGRP receptor has been implicated in migraine pathophysiology.60 The roles of the other receptors in migraine pathophysiology are currently unknown.59,60
Despite guideline recommendations of a formal, individualized management plan,99 many patients report not receiving appropriate treatment and follow-up care.30,36
Because the severity, frequency, and characteristics of migraine vary among patients and, often, within patients over time, and symptom profiles or biomarkers that predict efficacy and potential side effects for patients have not yet been identified, optimizing treatment for particular patients remains challenging.99
At present, treatment plans are individualized based on the following:99
A period of trial with different treatments may be necessary before treatment can be optimized.99 Additionally, it is important to establish realistic expectations with patients when discussing migraine treatment.99
Migraine may have potential long-term clinical and pathophysiological implications for patients if not managed appropriately.1,107
After initiating a new pharmacologic treatment for migraine or changing an existing treatment, regular follow-up visits are recommended to assess changes in the frequency and severity of attacks, and to evaluate migraine-related symptoms.2 Follow-up visits are also recommended to identify and address AEs associated with the treatment, monitor medication use, and ensure adherence to therapy.2
To accurately evaluate treatment effectiveness, AHS guidelines recommend that patients be assessed after 3 months (after starting monthly treatments), or 6 months (after starting quarterly treatments).99
For a more accurate assessment of treatment effectiveness, it is recommended that patients keep a headache diary to capture changes in attack frequency and severity as well as medication use.2,99 Treatment effectiveness can also be evaluated using a number of available validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) tools.99 Assessing a patient’s symptoms prior to treatment and routinely throughout treatment can help determine change in duration and severity of symptoms, functional disability, and quality of life (QoL) following therapy.3
After treatment is initiated:
*A headache diary should be started as soon as treatment is initiated.
Migraine can be treated with acute and preventive treatment.97,98 These two strategies for treating migraine have distinct but complementary treatment goals.98,99
Acute Treatment — Used to abort a migraine attack97-99
| Potential benefits | Limitations |
|---|---|
| May provide symptom relief97-99 | Adverse events can include tolerability issues97-99 |
| Risk of medication overuse headache (MOH)99 |
Preventive Treatment — Used to reduce the frequency, duration, and/or severity of attacks99
| Potential benefits | Limitations |
|---|---|
| May provide symptom relief97-99 | Often associated with issues of patient adherence99 |
| May reduce overall cost associated with migraine treatment99 | Side effects can include depression, cognitive dysfunction, somnolence, constipation, and weight gain100,101 |
Patients with migraine who have frequent and/or severe attacks may require both acute and preventive treatment approaches.97,98
A number of drug classes used in the acute and/or preventive management of migraine:99
| Acute | Preventive |
|---|---|
| Triptans98,99 | Anticonvulsant drugs104 |
| Ergotamine derivatives98,99 | Beta -blockers99,104 |
| Ditans102 | Neuromodulation devices99 |
| Gepants103 | Neurotoxins99 |
| Neuromodulation devices99 | Antidepressants99,104 |
| Nonsteroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)98,99 | Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors99,104 |
| Analgesics98 | Angiotencin receptor blockers99,104 |
| Opioids98,99 | Alpha-agonists99,104 |
| Antihistimines99 | |
| Triptans99,104 | |
| CGRP monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)99 |
According to AHS consensus statement, all patients with migraine should be offered a trial of acute treatment.99
Regardless of which acute treatment is prescribed, patients should be instructed to treat at the first sign of pain to improve the probability of achieving freedom from pain and reduce attack-related disability.99
AHS-listed drugs for acute treatment of migraine99
General pain medications
Acute migraine-specific medications
Emerging acute treatments
Preventive treatments are an important part of the overall approach for a proportion of patients with migraine, and multiple evidence-based guidelines are available.99 However, epidemiology data support that preventive treatment is underutilized, as only about one-third of patients with migraine who qualify for preventive treatment receive it.31,105
Preventive treatment is recommended for patients with elevated headache frequency, increased symptom severity, and/or impaired functioning.99
Identifying Patients for Preventive Treatment
Patients are often selected for preventive treatment based on attack frequency and degree of disability. Consensus identify groups of patients in whom preventive treatment should be offered or considered, based on these parameters.99
AHS Criteria for Preventive Treatment
Preventive pharmacologic treatments should be considered for patients with migraine in any of the following situations:99
Initial treatment prescribed by a clinician when a patient is aged ≥ 18 years and 1 of the following is met:99
4–7 monthly migraine days* and both:
8–14 monthly migraine days* and:
Chronic migraine and either:
*International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition (ICHD-3) migraine with or without aura.
† ≥ 2 of the following: (1) anticonvulsants, (2) antiepileptics (not for use in women of childbearing potential who lack an appropriate method of birth control), (3) β-blockers, (4) tricyclic antidepressants, (5) serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, (6) other level A or B treatment classes (established efficacy or probably effective) according to American Academy of Neurology (AAN) scheme for classification of evidence.
| Generalists | Section is designed for primary care providers and other generalists |
| Specialists | Section is designed for neurologists, pain specialists and similar |
| Both | Section is designed for both generalists and specialists |
This resource is for informational purposes only, intended as a quick-reference tool based on the cited source guideline(s), and should not be used as a substitute for the independent professional judgment of healthcare providers. Practice guidelines are unable to account for every individual variation among patients or take the place of clinician judgment, and the ultimate decision concerning the propriety of any course of conduct must be made by healthcare providers after consideration of each individual patient situation. Guideline Central does not endorse any specific guideline(s) or guideline recommendations and has not independently verified the accuracy hereof. Any use of this resource or any other Guideline Central resources is strictly voluntary.
Guideline Central and select third party use “cookies” on this website to enhance the user experience.
This technology helps us gather statistical and analytical information to optimize the relevant content for you.
The user also has the option to opt-out which may have an effect on the browsing experience.