6th Edition of Neurology World Conference 2026

Abstract

Background
Migraine is a disabling neurological disorder without blood-based susceptibility markers. We aimed to evaluate the possible biomarker role of neuropeptides, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in chronic (CM) and episodic migraine (EM).
Method
A comprehensive search strategy was employed to identify relevant articles from various databases until March 2023 using the search syntax to define all relevant articles addressing the plasma and serum levels of VIP and PACAP in migraineurs and controls. Concerning bias assessment, the Risk of bias in non-randomized studies-I (ROBINS-I) was assessed. Also, the Standardized mean difference (SMD) was measured with a random-effect model.
Results
We found that CM patients had elevated levels of VIP compared to control patients [SMD = 0.44; 95% CI = 0.25-0.62; p < 0.00001], whereas, in the case of EM patients, PACAP levels were specifically low [SMD = -0.30; 95% CI = -0.48 to -0.11; p=0.002, as compared to controls. VIP and PACAP levels in overall migraine cases were significantly higher and lower than controls, respectively [(SMD: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.11- 0.39; P=0.0006) and (SMD: -0.16; 95% CI: -0.30 to -0.03; P=0.020) respectively]. The levels of both VIP and PACAP did not differ significantly between CM and EM [(SMD = 0.22; 95% CI = -0.25 to 0.69; p=0.350) and (SMD = -0.18; 95% CI = -0.78 to 0.41; p=0.55) respectively].
Conclusion
The finding of this study supports the role of VIP and PACAP neuropeptides in migraines. Patients with CM have significantly higher VIP serum levels compared to controls. PACAP serum levels are significantly higher in EM patients than in the control group.
Key Points
-Clinicians and researchers may find this study valuable in understanding the potential role of VIP and PACAP as biomarkers for different types of migraines, leading to more precise
diagnostic approaches and potentially informing future therapeutic strategies.
-These findings could contribute to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of migraines and may have implications for future research on diagnostic and therapeutic
approaches related to VIP and PACAP neuropeptides
-More research is needed to confirm and expand upon these findings, and the use of VIP and PACAP as biomarkers in clinical practice should be approached with caution until further validation