A drug typically used to treat diabetes has shown promise in reducing the frequency of migraines.A new study,presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN)⁣ Congress 2025,found that‍ the diabetes medication liraglutide cut⁣ monthly migraine days by more than half.

researchers at the headache Center‍ of the University of ⁢Naples “Federico II” studied 26 obese adults suffering from chronic migraines,defined as 15 or⁣ more headache days per month. The patients were given liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist.

the results indicated a significant decrease in headache days, with patients reporting an average of 11 fewer days per month. Additionally, scores on the Migraine Disability Assessment Test dropped by 35 points, suggesting a ⁢notable ⁣improvement in the patients’ ability to ⁣function at work, ⁤in school, adn socially.

Liraglutide, a GLP-1 agonist, is ⁤already recognized for its effectiveness ⁤in treating type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar and aiding in weight management⁣ through appetite suppression. While the study participants experienced a slight decrease ⁣in body-mass index (BMI), from 34.01 to 33.65, this change was not statistically significant. Further analysis confirmed that the reduction in⁢ BMI did not affect headache frequency, supporting the idea that the drug’s impact on ‍brain fluid pressure, rather than ⁢weight loss, is the ⁢key factor ‍in migraine relief.

“Most patients⁣ felt better within the first two weeks and reported quality of life improved significantly,” said Dr. Simone Braca,the lead⁣ researcher. “The benefit lasted ‍for the full three-month observation period, even though weight loss⁤ was modest and ⁢statistically non-significant.”

The study excluded patients with papilledema and sixth nerve‍ palsy to rule out idiopathic⁤ intracranial hypertension (IIH) as a contributing factor.

There is ⁢growing evidence that subtle increases in⁣ intracranial pressure are linked to migraine attacks. GLP-1 receptor agonists like liraglutide⁢ can reduce ⁤cerebrospinal ⁣fluid secretion and have proven effective in treating IIH. ‍Dr. Braca and his team beleive that ⁤liraglutide may reduce cortical ⁣and trigeminal sensitization, ⁢which⁣ are underlying causes of ⁢migraines, by⁤ modulating cerebrospinal fluid pressure.

“We think⁤ that,by modulating cerebrospinal fluid pressure and reducing intracranial ⁣venous sinuses compression,these drugs produce a decrease⁢ in the release ⁢of calcitonin gene-related ⁢peptide (CGRP),a key migraine-promoting peptide,” Dr. Braca explained. “That would⁣ pose intracranial pressure control as a brand-new, pharmacologically targetable pathway.”

Some ⁤participants (38%) experienced mild gastrointestinal side effects, such as ⁢nausea and ‍constipation, but none discontinued treatment because⁢ of them.

The research team, led by professor Roberto⁣ De Simone, is planning a randomized, double-blind trial with direct or indirect⁢ intracranial pressure⁤ measurement. The ⁣team also aims to determine ‍if other⁤ GLP-1 drugs can provide similar ⁣relief with ⁢fewer gastrointestinal ‍side effects, according to Dr.⁣ Braca.

If these findings are confirmed, GLP-1 receptor agonists could provide ⁢a ⁤new treatment option for the ⁤estimated one in seven people worldwide who suffer from migraines, especially those⁤ who do not respond to existing preventive treatments. Given liraglutide’s established⁣ use⁢ in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, this could ⁣be a promising example of drug repurposing ‍in neurology, offering new hope for migraine‍ relief.