Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Migraine medicine- new hope for treatment and prevention

Migraine hope

Phase IIA trials on a brand new drug identified as ADX10059 which modulates (not blocks) a specific glutamate receptor have been completed, and European based Phase IIB trials are beginning. This drug represents an entirely new drug class and a new way of looking at Migraine. This preliminary trial of 129 patients showed success in the acute treatment Migraine. The drug's record in treating Migraine attacks in the trial was found to be similar to that in Triptan trials. Triptans work primarily on blood vessels however, and many patients cannot tolerate them. ADX10059 is reported in this trial to have very few, mild side-effects. Phase IIB trials are targeting the drug toward the initiation of Migraine, by way of prevention and long term management of Migraine disease. Results are expected in 2010.

ADX10059 shows promise in providing Migraineurs with a neural or nerve -based therapy. Topiramate is currently considered by many to be the Gold Standard nerve-based prevention/treatment for Migraines today, but it has a high incidence of side-effects, some serious. Those taking ADX10059 were able to tolerate very high doses of the drug without significant side-effects.

Dec 19, 2008 Medical News Today - "Research has shown that glutamate is the major neurotransmitter involved in the initiation and the propagation of the migraine circuit, a positive feedback loop that leads to pain and inflammation in the brain and hence migraine symptoms."

ADX10059 is also in trial for gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and showed promise for use in that disease as well. A special twice daily formulation dramatically reduced side effects of dizziness, drunk feeling and flushing in that study.

A third, phase II trial of ADX10059 for anxiety was completed, but did not have the desired result for the specific type of anxiety tested. No serious adverse reactions occurred.

Niagra Falls (photo copyright 2008 Ellen Schnakenberg)

More studies include:

*levodopa induced dyskinesia (PD-LID - a type of movement disorder).

Inhibition of mGluR5 also has potential in Fragile X syndrome (a genetic disorder).


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