Scientists in Trieste, Italy suggested a new approach to the treatment of migraine headaches. They hypothesized that combining two different approaches would yield better outcomes than either one alone. A neurotransmitter CGRP antagonists appear to be effective in the treatment of an acute migraine. Merck has a product in late stages of development that works through this mechanism and hopefully will be the first of a new class of migraine drugs. Based on laboratory research the Italian group suggests that combining a CGRP antagonist with a blocker of nerve growth factor may result in a more effective treatment. This fits with a new trend in treatment of many conditions – combining drugs that work in different ways, rather than trying to always use a single medication.
