Martin Rasmussen

Development of monoclonal antibody for migraine treatment

Applicant

Martin Rasmussen

Project description

Migraine affects more than 10% of the population, yet current therapies are only partially effective, with many patients still experiencing persistent headaches. We recently identified a novel signaling pathway in migraine headache, consisting of cerebrospinal fluid transport of molecules from the brain to the peripheral sensory nervous system. Our analysis of cerebrospinal fluid revealed several proteins that can activate sensory neurons and therefore may trigger migraine headaches. In this project we will develop drugs that block these signaling molecules and see if these drugs can rescue the migraine phenotype in rodent models of migraine. If so, we will transition into exploring these drugs in a clinical setting. Our objective is to develop new treatments for patients who do not respond well to existing migraine therapies.

Institution

University of Copenhagen

SPARK information

Martin Kaag Rasmussen, Steven Goldman, and Maiken Nedergaard were accepted as part of cohort 5.