Recruiting migraine sufferers

Queensland’s Griffith University researchers are recruiting females aged between 18 and 65 years nationwide who suffer at least four migraine episodes a year in a study which will hopefully determine the most effective vitamin B and folic acid dosage required to treat the often debilitating condition.

The final outcome of the trials is expected to result in the development of a nutraceutical (nutrition based) product tailored to individual needs determined by a genetic diagnosis.

Griffith Health Institute director, Professor Lyn Griffiths, says the study’s success during initial trials has been the culmination of over a decade of research.

Significant finding in relation to this treatment came to light about six years ago when Professor Griffiths and her team identified a genetic mutation in migraine sufferers.

Positive results seen with an initial clinical trial showed a “noteworthy reduction” in the frequency and severity of migraines in participants.

Following on from the success of this trial at the Griffith Health Institute’s Genomics Research Centre, the additional study will hone in on specific supplement dosages tailored to an individual migraine sufferer’s genetic profile.

While migraines are most common in younger people, new studies have revealed those aged 60 years and over can also suffer the debilitating condition.

Karyn Baker, a previous trial participant, experienced her first full migraine at the age of 17 after three years of suffering pre-symptoms.

“Until joining the trial, I had been managing unpredictable and debilitating migraines for more than 30 years. I tried all sorts of treatments with no real success, and had resorted to regularly taking very strong pain relief plus maxolon,” Ms Barker says.

Trial participants received six months of either a placebo (non-active treatment), or a nutraceutical treatment directed towards overcoming a genetic mutation that has been identified in about 20% of migraine sufferers.

“I just knew I was a lucky participant receiving the ‘active’ tablets because shortly after starting the treatment, I experienced a dramatic decrease in the number of migraines and also my general sense of wellbeing improved,” Ms Barker says.

She claims she has been “completely migraine free” since taking the vitamin supplements at the recommended rate.

“Stories like Ms Baker’s are the ‘feel good’ factor of our research and hopefully we can have this kind of positive effect on many more migraine sufferers as we continue to unfold the mystery of this common chronic condition,” Professor Griffiths concluded.

To participate in this study or for more information, email grcclinic@griffith.edu.au or call (07) 5552 9201 and leave your name and phone number and you will be contacted by clinic staff.