Migraine research has been transformed in the last several years. Drugs targeting a molecule called CGRP have created the first preventive medications designed specifically for migraine, and the pipeline continues to expand. Here's what's being studied and how to think about joining a trial.
Two broad categories of migraine trials
Migraine studies generally fall into one of two buckets:
Acute (abortive) treatment trials test drugs meant to stop an attack once it starts. Studies often ask you to treat a set number of attacks with the study drug and log your response.
Preventive treatment trials test drugs or devices meant to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks over weeks and months. These usually involve daily oral medications, monthly injections, or occasionally infusion.
What's being researched
- Next-generation CGRP-targeting drugs for both prevention and acute use
- Combination therapy studies pairing existing preventive drugs
- Neuromodulation devices — external or implantable devices that stimulate specific nerves
- Digital therapeutics — app-based programs that track triggers and coach behavioral change
- Studies for specific migraine types — chronic migraine (15+ headache days per month), menstrual migraine, migraine with aura, hemiplegic migraine
Who typically qualifies
Common eligibility criteria:
- A migraine diagnosis by a healthcare provider
- A minimum number of migraine days per month over the last few months
- Stable on your current preventive regimen (or off preventives for a defined washout)
- Ability to keep a headache diary
- No overlapping conditions the study excludes (studies vary widely on which)
What to expect at visits
A typical preventive migraine trial:
- Baseline period (often 4 weeks) where you track every headache day, severity, and medication used
- Treatment period — study drug, active comparator, or placebo, taken for 3 to 12 months
- Regular visits every 4 to 8 weeks with the study team
- Ongoing headache diary throughout, usually via an app
Acute trials are usually shorter but require you to treat attacks with the study medication and log your experience within a defined time window.
Compensation ranges from about $50 per visit for outpatient work to more for studies with imaging or device components.
What you keep
- Your neurologist or primary care doctor stays in the loop with your permission
- Insurance for unrelated care continues normally
- You can use your usual rescue medication for attacks the study doesn't cover
- You can withdraw at any time
What to watch for
- Washout periods can be difficult if you rely on a current preventive; make sure you understand the plan and how the study will support you
- Placebo groups are common in migraine trials; ask what percentage of participants receive placebo and how long that portion lasts
- Diary compliance — you'll be asked to log daily; if that's not realistic for your life right now, mention it during screening
Questions worth asking
- How long is the treatment period, and how long is any placebo phase?
- What's the study drug's mechanism, and how does it compare to what I'm on?
- What rescue medications am I allowed to use?
- What's the withdrawal process if the study drug isn't working for me?
- Are there any lifestyle restrictions (alcohol, specific foods, sleep patterns)?
Talking to your neurologist
If you have a headache specialist, they may already know the trial. Most will be supportive if the study drug is a plausible fit for your migraine pattern and you've exhausted the standard preventive options — or if the drug offers a mechanism your current regimen doesn't.
Ready to search
You can filter migraine trials by attack frequency, migraine type, and zip code on our [find-a-trial page](/#find-trials). This is not medical advice; your neurologist and the study team are your best resources for whether a specific trial is right for your migraine pattern.