Methodology of drug trials in migraine: History and suggestions for the future.

There is a multitude of scientific papers and guideline papers on the methodology of drug trials in migraine. Here, we try to condense this into a single paper and to make proposals for future consideration. Literature known by the authors and from reference lists of relevant publications was used for the history.

The putative proton-coupled organic cation antiporter is involved in uptake of triptans into human brain capillary endothelial cells.

Background: Triptans are anti-migraine drugs with a potential central site of action. However, it is not known to what extent triptans cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The aim of this study was therefore to determine if triptans pass the brain capillary endothelium and investigate the possible underlying mechanisms with focus on the involvement of the putative proton-coupled organic cation (H/OC) antiporter.

Multi-omic analyses of triptan-treated migraine attacks gives insight into molecular mechanisms.

Migraine is a common, polygenic disorder that is characterized by moderate to severe headache attacks. Migraine attacks are commonly treated with triptans, i.e.

Doubtful use of placebo following placebo in recent controlled trials of lasmiditan and ubrogepant for the treatment of migraine attacks.

Purpose: In four large controlled trials with lasmiditan and ubrogepant placebo was administered in the first step to demonstrate an effect on migraine attack. In the same trials the investigators also asked the question: is a second dose of the drug effective in non-responders to the first dose? In this phase patients who received placebo in the first phase of the trial again after 2 hours received another dose of placebo.

Conclusion: To be ethical, clinical research requires balancing rigorous science with the protection of human subjects; and it is, in our view, questionable whether placebo was used with "scientific rigor" in the second step of these trials, and this design is not recommended.