Background/Hypothesis: Monoclonal antibodies targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP mAbs) are effective drugs for migraine prevention. Worsening of symptoms following their discontinuation challenges their consideration as disease-modifying migraine drugs (DMMD). This study investigates whether changes in sensory processing and cortical network efficiency under CGRP mAb treatment. Methods: 22 patients suffering episodic migraine (21 female, 46.2+/-13.8 years) and 22 age-/gender-matched controls received visual and somatosensory evoked potentials (VEPs, SSEPs) assessments, and quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG). Patients were investigated before (V0),after three months (V3), and headache characteristics additionally followed-up at 6 and 12 months, of treatment with CGRP mAbs. Controls were assessed only once. Results: Facilitation of VEP at V0 in patients shifted to habituation at V3 following treatment with CGRP mAbs (Δslope: -0.37+/-0.83, p=0.03). VEP habituation at V3 did not differ from controls. SSEPs were equally attenuated in patients and controls throughout the study. QEEG parameters in patients indicated impaired network efficiency at V0 that normalized at V3, and were unlike evoked potential studies correlated with six and twelve month outcomes. Conclusion/ Interpretation: Improved cortical network efficiency and sensory processing suggests disease-modifying effects of CGRP mAbs with delayed clinical effects on headache. Relapse after withdrawal may reflect insufficient central adaptation in some patients.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04019496

This research was supported by the Soyka-Foerderpreis fuer Schmerzforschung der Novartis Pharma GmbH Deutschland. CS was supported by the DFG Clinician Scientist Program.

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Ethikkommission an der Universitaetsmedizin Greifswald Institut fuer Pharmakologie Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 3 17487 Greifswald Identifier: BB 168/18

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