Topically applied linoleic/linolenic acid for chronic migraine

We present a 45-year-old woman with chronic migraine without aura. Previous use of abortive or prophylactic therapies including sumatriptan, amitriptyline and topiramate had failed due to lack of efficacy or side-effects, especially vomiting. In search of a topical agent she performed an n-of-1 trial comparing application of linoleic acid (safflower oil) versus oleic acid (olive oil) for migraine relief. She found safflower oil to be effective. Topically applied safflower oil rich in linoleic and linolenic acids may offer a safe, easily applied, well-tolerated, effective anti-inflammatory approach for the prophylactic treatment of chronic migraine.
Source: Journal of Clinical Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research