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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Melatonin and Migraines
        
(Message started by: ozzy on Feb 24^th, 2005, 2:42pm)

Title: Melatonin and Migraines
Post by ozzy on Feb 24^th, 2005, 2:42pm

Study finds success in treatment of Migraine patiients with melatonin

Quote:

Melatonin is effective for migraine prevention, according to the findings of a small, open-label trial.

"There is increasing evidence that melatonin secretion and pineal function are related to headache disorders," Dr. Mario F. P. Peres, of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, and colleagues write in the August 24th issue of Neurology. "Altered melatonin levels have been found in cluster headache, migraine with and without aura, menstrual migraine, and chronic migraine."

The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with more than 50% reduction in headache frequency compared to baseline. The team also measured headache intensity, duration, and analgesic use.

Of the 32 patients who completed the study, 25 met the study's primary endpoint. No increase in headaches was reported.

After 3 months of treatment, eight patients experienced a complete response, seven patients had more than a 75% reduction in headache frequency, and 10 patients had between 50% and 75% reduction.

Melatonin also decreased headache intensity and duration (p < 0.001 for both). "Overall analgesic and triptan consumption also decreased (p < 0.001)."

"This is the first study to assess melatonin efficacy in migraine prevention," the researchers point out. Based on these findings, they suggest that a "controlled study may be worthwhile."

Neurology 2004;63:757.

Ozzy