The Use of Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cell Preparation for Treatment of Refractory Migraine

Chronic migraine (CM) is a disabling complex neurological disorder recognized as a complication of migraine in the the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Patients with CM experience headache on 15 days per month. CM is associated with significant disability and reduced health-related quality of life. Approximately 1.3% to 2.4% of the general population suffers from CM, and one in five CM sufferers cannot work because this condition impacts their ability to lead productive lives. CM is frequently complicated by overuse of acute pain medications. Some drugs have regulatory approval for migraine prophylaxis; none are approved specifically for CM prophylaxis although recently, botulinum injection has been FDA approved for CM treatment with marginal treatment effects with many patients failing to have complete remission. The present study is being undertaken as a phase I study to determine the safety and feasibility of using adipose derived mesenchymal stem cell preparations (MSC) for treatment of CM.