Migracycle
Migraine affects over one billion people worldwide and is more common in women, with approximately 17% of women experiencing migraine. The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks migraine among the top 10 most disabling conditions globally.
Migraine is known to fluctuate in relation to the menstrual cycle, with attacks often influenced by changes in hormone levels. It is a complex neurological disorder characterised by four distinct phases: prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome. Emerging evidence suggests that the hypothalamus plays a key role in initiating and regulating migraine attacks. This brain region is also involved in the control of sex hormones, stress responses, sleep, and appetite.
Despite this, the relationship between migraine, pain-related neuropeptides, hormonal fluctuations, and sleep regulation remains poorly understood.
The Migracycle study aims to address this gap by evaluating hormonal levels, pain neuropeptides, circadian rhythms, and food intake across the different phases of migraine over a full menstrual cycle in individuals with migraine.
Led by PhD Candidate Dr Marysia Lange