Frontiers in Neurology (Aug 2018)

Effects of Add-On Ultramicronized N-Palmitol Ethanol Amide in Patients Suffering of Migraine With Aura: A Pilot Study

  • Domenico Chirchiglia,
  • Erika Cione,
  • Maria C. Caroleo,
  • Minyan Wang,
  • Giulio Di Mizio,
  • Noemi Faedda,
  • Teodosio Giacolini,
  • Serena Siviglia,
  • Vincenzo Guidetti,
  • Luca Gallelli

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2018.00674
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Background: Palmitoyl ethanol amide (PEA) is an endogenously produced substance showing anti-nociceptive effect through both receptor and non-receptor mediated effects at the level of different cellular and tissue sites. This study showed the results of a single blind study that was conducted to evaluate both the safety and the efficacy of ultramicronized PEA (umPEA; 1,200 mg/day) for up 90 days in patients suffering of Migraine with Aura (MA) treated with NSAIDs.Methods: A total of 20 patients, 8 male (33–56-years, average 41.4 ± 7.8) and 12 female (19–61-years, average 38.5 ± 11.9) with MA were admitted to our observation and diagnosed according to ICHD-3 criteria, they received umPEA (1,200 mg/day) in combination with NSAIDs for up to 90 days. They were revaluated at 30, 60, and 90 days after treatment.Results: umPEA administration induced a statistically significant and time dependent pain relief. In particular, these effects were evident at 60 days (male P = 0.01189; female P = <0.01) and they lasted until the end of the study (male P = 0.0066; female P = 0.01473).Conclusion: Although further studies are needed, our findings indicate that in patients suffering of MA treatment with umPEA had good efficacy and safety which candidate this compound as a therapeutic tool in pain migraine management.

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