Ten percent of school age children have migraine, and it can be associated with significant functional disability, such as missing school, sports, social and family time. Girls and boys have about the same incidence of migraine until puberty, when it increases in girls and remains stable or decreases in boys. Non-pharmacologic tenants of good migraine management include adequate sleep, proper hydration, exercise, health foods, and learning how to manage stress. Non-pharmacologic interventions at our center include education in diet, sleep hygiene, exercise and stress management, biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral therapy, physical therapy and massage.
Some migraines, however, simply require medicines. While over-the-counter analgesics like Ibuprofen may help a low-level headache, true migraine often needs better, more specific therapy. While we have a number of good options for adults, there are not that many migraine-specific treatment choices for children and adolescents. Our pediatric migraine research program aims to change that, and bring safe, effective and well-tolerated pediatric migraine treatments to the market. Our current and upcoming studies include:
BHV311 + 312
This study is designed for the acute treatment of migraines in adolescents aged 12-17 years old (ages 6-11 coming soon!) who experience around 1-8 migraine days a month. The medication used in this study, Rimegepant, is an orally disintegrating tablet made by Pfizer and approved by the FDA for the treatment of migraines in adults. The aim of this study is for it to become FDA approved for our pediatric migraine-sufferers as well. In this study, participants will treat up to 2 migraine attacks with the study drug and will either receive placebo or the active study medication. The initial study can last approximately 19 weeks. If eligible, participants will be able to take part in the open-label extension study where they will be able to treat their migraines with guaranteed Rimegepant for up to a year.
Learn more (initial study): https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04649242
Learn more (extension study): https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04743141
All studies at NEICR are available at no cost to you, and there may be compensation for time and travel. Participation is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time. To find out more about any of our studies, give us a call at 203-914-1903.