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Original Articles
- Cerebrovascular Hemodynamic Responses to Breath-Holding in Migraine: A Longitudinal Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study Comparing a Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Monoclonal Antibody and Oral Preventive Treatment
- Dong A. Yea, Jong Kwan Choi, Yoo Hwan Kim
- Headache Pain Res. 2026;27(1):52-63. Published online February 24, 2026
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.62087/hpr.2025.0029
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Abstract
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Supplementary Material - Purpose: Altered cerebrovascular reactivity has been reported in migraine; however, longitudinal changes during preventive treatment remain unclear. This observational study aimed to describe and compare longitudinal cerebrovascular responses derived from functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during a breath-holding test between patients treated with a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibody and those receiving oral preventive medications.
Methods
Twenty-four patients with migraine were enrolled (CGRP group, n=12; oral group, n=12). fNIRS over the prefrontal cortex was performed at baseline and after 3 months during a standardized breath-holding protocol. Oxygenated (HbO), deoxygenated, and total hemoglobin signals were used to derive breath-holding and recovery indices. Clinical outcomes included monthly headache days, acute medication days, disability, mood scales, and Patient Global Impression of Change.
Results
Monthly headache days decreased in both groups (CGRP: Δ=–2.00, p=0.26; oral: Δ=–1.50, p=0.48), with no between- group difference (p=0.85). Acute medication days were significantly reduced only in the CGRP group (Δ=–7.00, p=0.03). Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) scores improved significantly in the CGRP group (Δ=–21.25, p=0.02), with no significant between-group differences. During breath-holding, HbO increased across channels in both groups and was followed by a gradual decline during the recovery phase. Longitudinal analyses demonstrated group-dependent differences in temporal change patterns, with a treatment×time interaction reaching significance at the uncorrected level in a representative channel (Channel 6: F(1,16)=8.448, p=0.010), but not after multiple-comparison correction (p=0.155).
Conclusion
fNIRS with a breath-holding challenge enables longitudinal assessment of cerebrovascular responses during migraine preventive treatment. The observed differences should be interpreted descriptively in terms of temporal change patterns. Larger studies are needed to clarify clinical significance.
- The Impact of Anti-Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Monoclonal Antibodies on Sleep Quality and Daytime Sleepiness in Migraine Patients: A Multicenter Study
- Rita Cagigal, Ângelo Fonseca, Bárbara Martins, Catarina Fernandes, Sandra Palma, Carolina Guerreiro, Carla Morgado, Diana Valente, Miguel Miranda, Joana Silva, Miguel Saianda-Duarte, Sofia Casanova, Mariana Branco, Ana Luísa Rocha, Henrique Delgado, Elsa Parreira, Filipe Palavra
- Headache Pain Res. 2026;27(1):43-51. Published online January 28, 2026
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.62087/hpr.2025.0022
- 287 View
- 14 Download
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Abstract
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- Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether patients with migraine experience improvements in self-reported sleep quality and daytime sleepiness after starting monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy targeting the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or its receptor, and to explore the association between treatment efficacy and improvements in sleep quality.
Methods
This prospective, multicenter, observational, longitudinal study was conducted across 12 headache centers. Adults with episodic or chronic migraine who began anti-CGRP mAb therapy were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness were evaluated using the Portuguese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-PT) and the Portuguese version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS-PT), respectively.
Results
Of 118 enrolled patients, 109 completed the study (86.4% female; mean age, 43.6 years). A significant improvement in sleep quality was observed, with median PSQI-PT scores decreasing from 9 at baseline to 6 at 6 months (p<0.001). Daytime sleepiness also improved, with median ESS-PT scores decreasing from 7 to 6 (p=0.04). Migraine frequency decreased significantly, from a median of 13 to 4 monthly migraine days (p<0.001). Greater migraine improvement was independently associated with greater PSQI-PT improvement (p<0.001), whereas changes in ESS-PT were not correlated with treatment efficacy.
Conclusion
Anti-CGRP mAb therapy was associated with significant improvements in sleep quality, likely mediated through migraine relief. Changes in ESS-PT were not correlated with treatment efficacy, suggesting a possible interaction between migraine mechanisms and CGRP-mediated sleep–wake regulation. Future research should focus on clarifying the mechanisms underlying these associations.
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