The research provides new insights into how headaches develop in raised intracranial pressure (ICP)-related conditions and suggest new treatments for patients.
, the research revealed possible new treatment options for ICP-related headaches by repurposing existing medications.
GLP-1 receptor agonists, currently used for diabetes, and CGRP blockers, currently used for migraines, could help treat headaches in conditions like Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) and traumatic brain injury. Such medications could be fast-tracked for clinical use, potentially reducing the need for invasive treatments.
We know that raised intracranial pressure affects brain blood flow and causes head pain, but the link between these changes and pain sensitivity is unclear. For patients affected by these conditions, such as traumatic brain injury and stroke, our work is important to shed light on the topic of pain and hopefully lead to advances in treatments.
Researchers at the Translational Brain Science Group, University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡, and at the Wolfson Sensory, Pain and Regeneration Centre, King’s College London, also explored how increased pressure in the skull, raised ICP, affects brain function and head pain, thus revealing new insights into why patients with high ICP experience headaches.
It found that ICP-related headaches may be linked to energy shortages in the brain, opening new areas for research. It also showed that raised ICP disrupts brain blood flow and nerve function, which could affect other neurological conditions.
Since both GLP-1 drugs and CGRP blockers are already approved for other conditions, we hope these findings will encourage their repurposing for ICP-related headaches, allowing patients to benefit sooner.
It is hoped that this research will lead to more clinical trials using GLP-1 receptor agonists and CGRP blockers for ICP-related headaches, providing non-invasive treatment options for conditions like Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) and traumatic brain injury.
This study was funded by the Brain Research UK PhD Studentship and Sir Jules Thorn Biomedical Science Award.
Post Doctoral Research Assistant
Staff profile of Olivia Grech, PhD student, at the Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡
Professor of Neurology, Bloomer Chair of Neurology
Staff profile for Alexandra Sinclair, Professor of Neurology and Lead for Business Engagement, at the Department of Metabolism and Systems Science, University Â鶹¾«Ñ¡.
