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A new class of drug now being developed could transform the lives of millions of people who suffer migraines by preventing the debilitating attacks, an expert said.
Migraine affects three times as many women as men. Very few take existing medicines to prevent attacks, partly because they have side-effects.
But Professor Peter Goadsby, who divides his time between the Institute of Neurology in London and the University of California in San Francisco, says hope is on the way in the shape of a novel class of drugs called neuronal gap junction blockers. Their effect, he says, is to turn down the overactivity of the brain which scientists think may be a factor in migraine.
"This is significant for migraine sufferers," said Goadsby.
"The unpredictability of the attacks reminds them constantly of the disorder. Preventive medicine gives them back control of their life."
The new drug going through trials is called Tonabersat. Tests show it does not have unpleasant side-effects.
