Anti-Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Monoclonal Antibodies in the Treatment of Patients With Concussion

Objective Investigate the efficacy of 3 anti-Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide monoclonal antibodies (anti-CGRP mAbs), fremanezumab, galcanezumab, and erenumab, in concussion patients with post-traumatic headache (PTH) with a migraine phenotype.

Background A study using monoclonal antibodies in mice with mild traumatic brain injury saw improvements in cutaneous allodynia.1 A study from Denmark using erenumab for PTH found patients had an 82% decrease in the number of headache days. This study also demonstrated that 44% of patients had a reduction in HIT-6 score = 5 after 9–12 weeks of treatment.2.

Design/Methods Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with PTH (n = 168) evaluated HIT-6, number of reported headache days, and the number of modifiable concussion variables (headache, dizziness, attention/concentration deficit, mood and sleep disturbance) prior to initiation of anti-CGRP mAbs and after at least 3 months of treatment were recorded.

Results Patients saw a decrease in HIT-6 score (p < 0.0001), with a mean difference of −4.26 from pre-treatment to at least 3 months after treatment. When evaluating 5 concussion symptom categories, patients experienced x¯ = 2.35 symptoms prior to anti-CGRP mAbs treatment, and x¯ = 1.67 after at least 3 months of treatment. Patients also experienced a decrease in the number of headache days per month (<0.0001) with a mean difference of −7.25 (range 0–30) headache days per month. Seven patients experienced adverse effects (1 patient had 2 different adverse effects), including injection site rash, fatigue, constipation, and dizziness. Only one patient discontinued medication due to adverse event.

Conclusions Anti-CGRP mAbs used to treat PTH showed improved headache severity and frequency, as well as a decreased number of overall concussion symptoms. There was a subset of patients with a more robust response. Switching anti-CGRP mAbs was beneficial in some patients.