Watch Dr Jason Ray accept the research grant award and hear a bit about the project.
Project Summary:
CGRP monoclonal antibodies are an effective new class of medications used in Australia and worldwide for the prevention of migraine, a condition that affects 1 in 7 people. They work by blocking either the CGRP molecule, which is involved in the initiation of a migraine, or its receptor. While these medications have been found to be well tolerated in clinical trials, because CGRP has other roles in the body, there is an ongoing need to study these medications to ensure there are no ‘off-target’ effects from their use.
Our research project is expanding on earlier clinical observations by investigating any effect that these medications have on the immune system. To do this, we are collecting blood samples from volunteers prior to, and after commencing these medications, and analysing the level and pattern of expression of immune cytokines – proteins involved in signalling in the immune system.
This research will further inform clinical practice worldwide by either confirming the safety of these medications, or identifying an area that may require particular monitoring to ensure the ongoing safe use of the medication. We would like to sincerely thank the scientific committee, sponsors and donors of the Brain Foundation for their support of this project.
Outcomes:
Dr Ray and his team measured ten different cytokines prior to starting CGRP monoclonal antibodies (CGRP mAbs) and after three months of treatment. The study participants included 22 patients with chronic migraine and 10 healthy controls.
They found that CGRP mAbs had no significant impact on cytokine expression or immune phenotype. These results are significant, as there have been rare reports of inflammatory conditions presenting following administration of CGRP mAbs, and clinicians lacked data to guide discussion and treatment decision-making. These findings will support clinicians and patients worldwide.
You can read more about these research results in the final report & journal publications, linked below.
- Progress Report (November 2023)
- Final Report (April 2025)
- Journal Article (September 2025) – Journal of Neurology, “The impact of CGRP monoclonal antibodies on cytokine expression in chronic migraine: a cohort study”.
The Brain Foundation is dedicated to funding the next generation of Australian research into brain disorders, diseases, and injuries, with the ultimate goal of advancing diagnoses, treatments, and patient outcomes.