Improving migraine headache characteristics with high dose  of thiamine: A randomized  double-blind controlled trial

Maryam  Ghods; Mansoureh  Togha; Elham  Jafari; Morvarid  Noormohammadi; Zhale  Salami; Maryam  Nilghaz; Behnaz  Narimani; Mahshad  Shafiee; Mahdieh  Tabesh; Soodeh  Razeghi-Jahromi

doi:10.18502/cjn.v23i4.18763

Maryam Ghods Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mansoureh Togha Headache Department, Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Elham Jafari Headache Department, Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Morvarid Noormohammadi Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Zhale Salami Headache Department, Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Maryam Nilghaz Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Behnaz Narimani Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mahshad Shafiee Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mahdieh Tabesh Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Soodeh Razeghi-Jahromi Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/cjn.v23i4.18763

Keywords: Thiamine; Migraine; Headache; Episodic Migraine

Abstract

Background: Migraine, a prevalent neurological condition, is recognized as the sixth leading cause of global disability. The proposed mechanism involves a combination of diminished energy reserves and heightened sensory stimulation activating the trigeminovascular system. Thiamine, essential for energy generation in various tissues including the nervous system, is hypothesized to be involved. This study aims to examine the effects of administering a high dose of thiamine to women with episodic migraine.

Methods: A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted involving 40 women with episodic migraine. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving 990 milligrams of thiamine three times daily, and the other receiving 990 milligrams of maltodextrin over 12 weeks. Headache frequency, duration, severity, and disability were evaluated through questionnaires. Initial and final measurements of serum calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were taken.

Results: Thiamine supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) scores, migraine frequency, duration, and intensity compared to the placebo group. However, both groups experienced a decline in serum CGRP levels, with no significant difference between them.

Conclusion: This study suggests that high-dose thiamine supplementation may offer a beneficial adjunctive treatment for episodic migraine. Further investigations with prolonged intervention periods are necessary to validate these findings.