Wake Forest University School of Medicine receives NIH grant to study non-opioid migraine treatment

The 5-year, $3.2 million grant comes from the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The money will help fund an eight-week virtual clinical trial that will evaluate non-drug treatment options.

Dr. Rebecca Erwin Wells, an Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist neurologist who teaches at the School of Medicine, says that too many people suffering from the debilitating effects of migraine headaches turn to opioids for relief, which can result in overuse and addiction. Wells says one goal of the research is to open paths toward non-drug approaches for treatment.  

"I find that an integrative approach is what can be most effective for many patients," says Wells. "So I am a firm believer in utilizing all treatment modalities that can be helpful."

The School of Medicine research team is currently enrolling people with migraine issues in the clinical trial.  Wells says that the virtual format will help widen access and availability for participants.