Meningeal pain and migraine brain hyperexcitability in people
Official title: Meningeal nociception and migraine-related visual cortex hyperexcitability
Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11452668 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A short study in adults with migraine to understand how pain signals from the brain coverings might make the visual cortex more excitable and trigger migraines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $283,037 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS147222-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11452668 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with migraine who may experience visual symptoms such as aura or related nociceptive features.
✕Less likely to help
People with migraines without the brain-visual or meningeal signaling patterns studied may see little or no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores why the brain’s visual area becomes overly active in people with migraines and how signals from meningeal nerves may influence this process. Using advanced imaging and experiments in a clinical setting, researchers will look at how immune signals and neurons interact to promote migraine symptoms. The aim is to identify possible targets to reduce the frequency or intensity of migraine attacks and improve quality of life for patients. Participation would involve procedures that probe brain activity and immune interactions in a safe, controlled environment. The findings could lay the groundwork for new approaches to prevent migraines.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new strategies to prevent or lessen migraine attacks by normalizing visual cortex activity and meningeal signaling.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests visual cortex hyperexcitability is linked to migraines, but the exact mechanisms are still being explored and this study tests a novel link with meningeal signals.
Where this research is happening
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levy, Dan — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Levy, Dan
Related research
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A university-led project is testing a new non-opioid drug that blocks two pain-related enzymes at the same time to help people with migraines.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.