Plasma CGRP Levels in Migraine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays a central mechanistic role in migraine and is an established drug target. However, it remains unclear whether peripheral plasma CGRP levels meaningfully reflect disease activity. We investigated whether circulating plasma CGRP differs between individuals with migraine and healthy controls and whether concentrations vary across migraine subtypes, clinical status, and preventive treatment use. METHODS: tests. Regression models were performed to assess associations with clinical variables. RESULTS: = 0.37). DISCUSSION: Plasma CGRP concentrations were modestly lower in migraine and did not vary by clinical subtype or disease state. These findings challenge the assumption that migraine is characterized by elevated circulating CGRP and suggest limited utility of plasma CGRP as a disease biomarker.