Latest news with #SimoneBraca
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Popular weight-loss drugs show promising new power against debilitating migraines
Beyond diabetes control and weight management, GLP-1s could have yet another benefit: helping with migraines. In a small study, a GLP-1 drug shrank the number of days people spent with a migraine by almost half in a given month. Presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress in Helinski, Finland, on June 21, the results suggest promising future uses of the popular obesity and diabetes drugs. Who Should Be Taking Weight-loss Drugs? Doctors Share Best Candidates Nearly 40 million Americans deal with migraines, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) — and for many, they're more than just a headache. Migraines are the second-leading cause of disability worldwide, the above agency states, with symptoms including severe headaches, nausea and sensitivity to light often disrupting daily activities. Read On The Fox News App Previous studies have shown that GLP-1s can reduce pressure inside the skull, which is a possible cause of migraines, according to multiple health organizations. Neurologist and study lead Simone Braca of the University of Naples Federico II in Italy, along with his colleagues, explored whether liraglutide, an earlier version of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), could help migraine sufferers. Thirty-one adults, 26 of them women, got daily injections of liraglutide for 12 weeks. The participants, who all met the criteria for obesity, also continued to take their current migraine medications. At the start of the experiment, participants reported headaches about 20 days out of a month. After 12 weeks of liraglutide, the average number dropped to about 11 days. "Most patients felt better within the first two weeks and reported quality of life improved significantly," said Braca in a press release for the study, which was published in the journal Headache last month. The relief from migraines lasted for the full three-month observation period, the researcher noted, although weight loss was "modest and statistically non-significant." Participants' weight stayed about the same during the trial, suggesting that the headache reductions weren't tied to weight loss. Weight-loss Medications May Also Benefit Common Medical Problem, Study Finds "Liraglutide is a 'middle-aged' GLP-1, with Ozempic and Mounjaro being newer," Dr. Sue Decotiis, a triple board-certified weight loss specialist in New York City, told Fox News Digital. Decotiis, who was not involved in the study, said that liraglutide is not as effective as its newer cousins for weight loss or diabetes, and is not frequently used for these purposes. "Many pharmacies are not even stocking it due to declining demand, yet it gets into the brain well enough to reduce migraines," she noted. The trial didn't include a comparison group, and participants and researchers all knew that everyone received liraglutide, the researchers noted. Mild gastrointestinal side effects (mainly nausea and constipation) occurred in 38% of participants, but did not lead to treatment discontinuation. Further research may include other groups, such as control groups and people without obesity, to compare the drug's effects. "The study was very small," Decotiis confirmed to Fox News Digital. Given its size and brief duration, the findings could be limited until further research is conducted, according to the expert. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter The researchers also tested only one drug, liraglutide, "which is not used as frequently in the general population as semaglutide or tirzepatide are," Decotiis added. For more Health articles, visit Next, the team is planning a randomized, double-blind trial that will also measure pressure inside the skull. "We also want to determine whether other GLP-1 drugs can deliver the same relief, possibly with even fewer gastrointestinal side effects," Braca said in the same press article source: Popular weight-loss drugs show promising new power against debilitating migraines
Fox News
02-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Popular weight-loss drugs show promising new power against debilitating migraines
Beyond diabetes control and weight management, GLP-1s could have yet another benefit: helping with migraines. In a small study, a GLP-1 drug shrank the number of days people spent with a migraine by almost half in a given month. Presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress in Helinski, Finland, on June 21, the results suggest promising future uses of the popular obesity and diabetes drugs. Nearly 40 million Americans deal with migraines, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) — and for many, they're more than just a headache. Migraines are the second-leading cause of disability worldwide, the above agency states, with symptoms including severe headaches, nausea and sensitivity to light often disrupting daily activities. Previous studies have shown that GLP-1s can reduce pressure inside the skull, which is a possible cause of migraines, according to multiple health organizations. Neurologist and study lead Simone Braca of the University of Naples Federico II in Italy, along with his colleagues, explored whether liraglutide, an earlier version of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), could help migraine sufferers. "Most patients felt better within the first two weeks and reported quality of life improved significantly." Thirty-one adults, 26 of them women, got daily injections of liraglutide for 12 weeks. The participants, who all met the criteria for obesity, also continued to take their current migraine medications. At the start of the experiment, participants reported headaches about 20 days out of a month. After 12 weeks of liraglutide, the average number dropped to about 11 days. "Most patients felt better within the first two weeks and reported quality of life improved significantly," said Braca in a press release. The relief from migraines lasted for the full three-month observation period, the researcher noted, although weight loss was "modest and statistically non-significant." Participants' weight stayed about the same during the trial, suggesting that the headache reductions weren't tied to weight loss. "Liraglutide is a 'middle-aged' GLP-1, with Ozempic and Mounjaro being newer," Dr. Sue Decotiis, a triple board-certified weight loss specialist in New York City, told Fox News Digital. Decotiis, who was not involved in the study, said that liraglutide is not as effective as its newer cousins for weight loss or diabetes, and is not frequently used for these purposes. "Many pharmacies are not even stocking it due to declining demand, yet it gets into the brain well enough to reduce migraines," she noted. The trial didn't include a comparison group, and participants and researchers all knew that everyone received liraglutide, the researchers noted. Mild gastrointestinal side effects (mainly nausea and constipation) occurred in 38% of participants, but did not lead to treatment discontinuation. Further research may include other groups, such as control groups and people without obesity, to compare the drug's effects. "The study was very small," Decotiis confirmed to Fox News Digital. Given its size and brief duration, the findings could be limited until further research is conducted, according to the expert. The researchers also tested only one drug, liraglutide, "which is not used as frequently in the general population as semaglutide or tirzepatide are," Decotiis added. For more Health articles, visit Next, the team is planning a randomized, double-blind trial that will also measure pressure inside the skull. "We also want to determine whether other GLP-1 drugs can deliver the same relief, possibly with even fewer gastrointestinal side effects," Braca said in the same press release.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Could Ozempic treat migraines? Popular obesity drug shows promise in a small study
In the world of wellness and weight loss, Ozempic is one heck of a heavyweight name. Ozempic (semaglutide) is a well-known prescription drug that's used to treat the blood sugar of people with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is given as an injection under your skin, and it is also used to lower the risk of cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or death) in people who have type 2 diabetes and heart disease. But what if a widely used medication for weight management and type 2 diabetes could also ease migraine – a neurological disorder that affects around 15% of people worldwide, and is characterized by debilitating headaches that can be accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, and fatigue? Ozempic (semaglutide), a GLP-1 receptor agonist, is emerging as a strong contender to provide relief to migraine sufferers. In a small study, the drug liraglutide reduced monthly migraine episodes by nearly half among people with obesity who experience the headache-inducing condition. How? Read on to know. The research: A study led by Simone Braca, a neurologist at Federico II University in Naples, Italy, explored the effects of liraglutide on 31 people suffering from chronic migraines and obesity. All participants had previously tried at least two migraine prevention medications without success. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo What is Liraglutide? Liraglutide is a drug made by Novo Nordisk, the same company that produces semaglutide, known as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss. Both drugs mimic a hormone called GLP-1, which helps control blood sugar and suppress appetite. In this study, liraglutide was tested on the patients for 12 weeks. By the end of the trial, the average number of migraine days each month dropped from about 20 to just under 11 – a nearly 50% reduction. One participant even stopped having migraines entirely. While some individuals lost weight, the reduction in migraines did not appear to be linked to the amount of weight lost, indicating that liraglutide's impact on migraines was separate from its weight-loss effects. The findings: The results of the study were shared in June at the Congress of the European Association of Neurology and published in the journal Headache . The researchers concluded, 'Our findings show that liraglutide may be effective in the treatment of unresponsive high-frequency or chronic migraine in patients with obesity.' GLP-1 drugs have been available for about 20 years, and newer ones like semaglutide and tirzepatide are more successful at helping with weight loss and blood sugar control compared to diet and exercise alone. Additionally, some studies suggest GLP-1s might help people with substance use disorders. Chronic migraines are complicated, but one potential cause is increased pressure inside the skull. Since previous research has shown that GLP-1s can lower this pressure, the researchers believed these drugs could help treat migraines. What is migraine? Migraines are intense headaches often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. They can come with warning signs and be triggered by factors such as hormonal changes, certain foods or drinks, stress, and even exercise. Common symptoms include throbbing pain in one area, nausea, and sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia). Medications can help manage migraines. The road ahead: The researchers noted this was just a preliminary study and not meant to draw definitive conclusions. Important questions remain, such as whether newer GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide would also effectively relieve migraine-related pressure. Lanfranco Pellesi, a headache specialist from the University of Southern Denmark, who did not participate in the study, pointed out that without a control group, some of the observed reduction in headaches might be due to the placebo effect. However, he mentioned that the findings are promising enough to warrant a randomized controlled trial to further investigate this hypothesis. Given the challenges in treating migraines, discovering new therapeutic options could be extremely valuable. Promising drug delivery method might replace injections with pills: Study
Daily Record
28-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
The diabetes drug that cuts migraines in half and could help millions worldwide
A diabetes medication that lowers brain fluid pressure has cut monthly migraine days by more than half, according to a new study Migraines can be, at best, an inconvenience and, at worst, totally debilitating. Your work rate and relationships can suffer when you're not feeling yourself. And when pills and painkillers don't touch the sides, it can be hard knowing where to turn. However, a common diabetes drug may be the next big thing for migraine relief, according to an interesting new study. In fact, the diabetes medication that lowers brain fluid pressure has cut monthly migraine days by more than half. The findings from the clinical study were presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2025. As part of the research, obese patients with chronic migraines who took liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, experienced over 50 per cent fewer headache days and significantly improved daily functioning without meaningful weight loss. Researchers believe the drug's ability to lower brain fluid pressure is the key, potentially opening a completely new way to treat migraines. The effects were fast, sustained, and came with only mild side effects. "Most patients felt better within the first two weeks and reported quality of life improved significantly," said lead researcher Dr Simone Braca. "The benefit lasted for the full three-month observation period, even though weight loss was modest and statistically non-significant." Researchers at the Headache Centre of the University of Naples Federico II gave GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide to 26 adults with obesity and chronic migraine - which is when you have more than 15 headaches a month. Afterwards, patients reported having 11 fewer headaches per month, while their work, study, and sociability got significantly better. What's more, although the patients also lost a bit of weight - with their BMI dropping slightly from 34.01 to 33.65 - this was found to have had no link to how often they experienced headaches. This strengthened the study's belief that pressure modulation, not weight loss, is behind the improvement. "We think that... 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." Mild side effects, mainly nausea and constipation, occurred in 38 per cent of participants, but it did not force them to drop out of the 12-week study. Off the back of the study, a randomised, double-blind trial is now being planned by the same research team in Naples. "We also want to determine whether other GLP-1 drugs can deliver the same relief, possibly with even fewer gastrointestinal side effects," Dr Braca added. If confirmed, GLP-1-receptor agonists could offer a new treatment option for the estimated one in seven people worldwide who live with migraine, particularly those who do not respond to current preventives. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
New York Post
25-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
This weight loss drug can reduce your migraine days by half — it's not Ozempic
Next-generation weight loss drugs may do more than shrink your waistline. A new study suggests that a medication in the same family as Ozempic could cut the number of days people suffer from migraines by more than half. 'Most patients felt better within the first two weeks and reported quality of life improved significantly,' said Dr. Simone Braca, a neurologist at the University of Naples Federico II and lead author of the study. Advertisement 4 Migraines affect roughly 12% of the US population aged 12 and up. astrosystem – Researchers tested liraglutide, a medication that mimics the GLP-1 hormone, which helps regulate blood sugar, suppress appetite and aid digestion. The drug is currently marketed as Victoza for Type 2 diabetes and as Saxenda for long-term weight management in people with obesity. Advertisement The researchers gave liraglutide to 31 adults with obesity and chronic migraines, defined as 15 or more headache days per month. Before joining the study, each participant had tried at least two other migraine-prevention drugs without success. 4 Liraglutide belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. luchschenF – After taking a daily 1.8 milligram dose of liraglutide for three months, their average headache days dropped from 20 to about nine per month. Advertisement Participants also saw a 35-point drop on the Migraine Disability Assessment Test, which signals a meaningful improvement in their work, school and social life. 'The benefit lasted for the full three-month observation period, even though weight loss was modest and statistically non-significant,' Braca said. Rather than weight loss easing migraines, researchers believe the drug works by lowering the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid — the liquid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Advertisement 'An increased pressure of the spinal fluid in the brain may be one of the mechanisms underlying migraine,' Braca told ABC News. 'If we target this mechanism, this preliminary evidence suggests it may help migraine sufferers.' 4 Some participants experienced mild gastrointestinal side effects while taking liraglutide. Choi_ Nikolai – The drug was generally well-tolerated, with about 38% of participants reporting mild side effects like nausea and constipation, but none stopped treatment because of them. 'Our findings show liraglutide may be effective for treating stubborn, high-frequency migraines in patients with obesity, and that this effect is independent of weight loss,' the researchers concluded in Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain. The team is planning a larger follow-up study to measure brain pressure more directly. 'We also want to see if other GLP-1 drugs can provide similar relief, possibly with fewer gastrointestinal side effects,' Braca noted. More than just a bad headache At least 39 million Americans suffer from migraines, but the American Migraine Foundation estimates the true number is likely higher since many go undiagnosed. Advertisement The debilitating neurological condition causes throbbing head pain that can last hours or even days, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, vision changes and sensitivity to light and sound. 4 Studies show that women are two to three times more likely to experience migraines than men. Studio Romantic – Migraines can take a serious toll on daily life, often leading to missed work or school, reduced productivity, strained relationships and even withdrawal from social events and hobbies. Advertisement On top of that, migraines are strongly linked to depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges — and they're associated with a higher risk of stroke, heart disease and other chronic illnesses. Scientists don't yet know exactly what causes migraines, but genetics play a big role: up to 80% of sufferers have a close family member who also has the condition, according to the Cleveland Clinic. There's still no cure for migraines. While some medications can ease symptoms, they don't work for everyone. That's why this new study has experts buzzing. Advertisement 'These patients were dealing with at least 15 headache days a month, and on average, they had 11 fewer days after taking the medication for just three months,' Dr. Luis Felipe Tornes, a neurologist, told Medical News Today. 'That's life-changing for someone living with near-constant pain,' he added, noting that the drug's possible role in reducing brain pressure 'opens up a whole new way to think about treating migraines.'
