What scientists study
What scientists have found and what they are testing right now.
The hypothalamus lights up in an attack
PET scans showed attacks are tied to the brain's body clock.
Oxygen proven
JAMA trial: oxygen stopped or eased 78% of attacks in 15 minutes, air 20%.
Source ↗First CGRP antibody for cluster headache
Galcanezumab approved in the US for the episodic form.
First large genetic studies
The first DNA regions linked to the disease were found.
Source ↗Psilocybin: first placebo-controlled trial
Low doses, a small group. Fewer attacks, but not statistically proven.
Source ↗8 DNA regions and the role of smoking
Almost 4,800 patients: genetics points to smoking itself raising the risk.
Source ↗New European guideline
Oxygen and sumatriptan for attacks, verapamil for prevention, occipital nerve block.
Source ↗Eptinezumab and erenumab fell short
Two CGRP antibodies did not beat placebo on the main measure.
Source ↗BOL-148: a non-hallucinogenic LSD analogue
Funding raised for a trial in Germany; first participants expected at the end of 2026.
Source ↗Occipital nerve stimulation
First trial of a new device for the chronic form, recruiting.
Source ↗Vitamin D versus placebo
The first rigorous test of the popular regimen, no results yet.
Source ↗Sleep, snoring and attacks
Testing whether a CPAP mask helps with apnoea and night attacks.
Source ↗