New drugs treat and prevent migraines

EXISTING DRUGS: OBSTRUCT LIBERATION OF PAIN PROTEIN

The existing drugs, triptans, bind to a serotonin receptor on the nerve fibres, preventing the nerves from liberating the CGRP protein, hence soothing the pain during a migraine attack.

NEW DRUGS: OBSTRUCT SENSORY NERVE RECEPTOR

A new type of drugs known as gepants settle in the sensory nerve's receptor for the CGRP protein, so it cannot bind to the nerve. This eases the pain of an acute migraine attack.

DISARMS PAIN PROTEIN

The fremanezumab antibody binds to the CGRP protein, so it is invalidated at the moment it is released from the nerve. This prevents new migraine attacks from developing.

BINDS TO THE SENSORY NERVE

Erenumab, another new antibody, functions by recognizing and binding to the CGRP receptor of the sensory nerve, so it cannot be activated by the protein. This prevents new migraine attacks.