Tests brain stimulation to ease chronic migraine pain
Tests non-invasive brain stimulation in adults with chronic migraine over 20 days.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Investigation and Modulation of the Central Mu-Opioid Mechanism in Migraine (in Vivo)
Key facts
- Where
- Ann Arbor, United StatesSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Source: NCT05769348, who can take part
Where in United States
- University of MichiganAnn Arbor, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Michigan
- Trial code
- NCT05769348
- Record updated
- 25 February 2026
- Original description
This study investigates whether unilateral and bilateral non-invasive brain stimulation, given for 20 minutes/once per day for twenty days (M-F) can reduce migraine pain. Fourty patients will receive treatment (20 unilateral treatment, and 20 bilateral treatment), while twenty will receive a "sham" procedure. Another 20 Episodic Migraine patients will be recruited for the observational aim of the study which does not include brain stimulation.Read full original descriptionShow less
Investigation and Modulation of the Central Mu-Opioid Mechanism in Migraine (in Vivo)
This study investigates whether unilateral and bilateral non-invasive brain stimulation, given for 20 minutes/once per day for twenty days (M-F) can reduce migraine pain. Fourty patients will receive treatment (20 unilateral treatment, and 20 bilateral treatment), while twenty will receive a "sham" procedure. Another 20 Episodic Migraine patients will be recruited for the observational aim of the study which does not include brain stimulation.
Inclusion: Male or female, aged 18 to 65 (inclusive); Patients must have Episodic migraines that started before the age of 50, and currently experience:; Chronic migraine (ICHD-3-beta), headache occurring on 15 days/month for more than six months, which, on at least eight days/month, has the features of a migraine headache; Episodic migraine (low frequency), specifically those with headache occurring less than 8 days/month; Willing to limit the introduction of new treatments and medications during the study period.
Exclusion: Active, untreated major concurrent systemic illness other than migraine; Medical conditions that can impair health status independent of migraine (including cardiopulmonary disorders, malignancy, uncontrolled endocrine or allergies); Systemic rheumatic disorders (i.e., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, gout, and fibromyalgia); Medication overuse headache (ICHD-3), regular intake for ≥10 days per month of ergotamine, triptans, combination analgesics, or any combination thereof OR ≥15 days per month of simple analgesics (acetaminophen, aspirin, NSAID), for more than 3 months; Current use of opioid or dopaminergic drugs (or use within the last 3 months) or substance abuse (self-reported); Drug test positive for opioid or recreational drug (e.g., cannabis) at the time of the PET scan visits; Prior use of tDCS; History or current evidence of a psychotic disorder (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) or severe major depression, as evidenced by Beck Depression score of >30*; History of neurological disorder (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, neuropathy, neuropathic pain); Allergic response to study radiotracers or chemically related drugs; Significantly greater pain in body sites other than the head; Excluded by MRI Center or PET Center safety screening checklist (as administered by study staff); Pregnant or lactating (negative urine pregnancy test must be available before any PET procedures are initiated).