Study explores biomarkers for migraine diagnosis You are here:HomeNewsroomNews St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne is leading a groundbreaking study aimed at improving migraine diagnosis and treatment. The research focuses on identifying the most effective method for measuring calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) a protein released around the brain that causes inflammation and triggers migraine. Associate Professor Lauren Sanders, SVHM Neurologist and Headache specialist, is the study’s Principal Investigator and will lead its clinical arm, working in collaboration with Professor Debbie Hay from Otago University in New Zealand “While understanding of migraine and post-traumatic headache has improved in recent years, many questions remain about what triggers these conditions and how best to treat them,” said A/Prof Sanders. “We know CGRP is an important component, but we actually don’t know the best way to test it.” Headache and migraine are the leading cause of disability in women under 50 globally, and the second leading cause of disability worldwide, making this extremely vital research. “This is a really exciting opportunity to grow headache research in Australia and to potentially contribute something that will have impact at a global scale,” said A/Prof Sanders of the study that was also awarded a prestigious grant last year from the Brain Foundation (Australia). A/Professor Lauren Sanders, Neurologist and Headache specialist at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne Tracking migraine with biomarkers The idea for the study was inspired during a dinner table conversation between headache specialists at a conference. “It came out of a genuine curiosity,” explained A/Prof Sanders. “I was speaking with a colleague about his PhD work involving soldiers who were exposed to blast injuries resulting in headaches and concussions. We thought, wouldn’t it be great if we had an easy way to evaluate what was going on. That’s exactly what this project aims to explore.” Approximately 14 per cent of headaches are due to migraine, while just under 5 per cent is linked to head injury. A/Prof Sanders highlighted that in the past five to ten years there’s been a surge in understanding migraine, including the development of effective disease-targeted therapies. “However, we still don’t understand the bigger picture – why some people don’t respond to CGRP therapies. It may be that they don’t have a CGRP type of migraine, so being able to establish a biomarker could help us tailor treatments more effectively. “For too long, people have been underdiagnosed and undertreated, often told it is ‘just a headache’. But migraine is so much more – it is a really disabling condition,” said A/Prof Sanders. Currently in its early development phase, the study aims to inform future clinical research and improve clinical care and outcomes for people living with migraine.