The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of memantine and compared sodium valproate in the prophylactic treatment of migraine.

In migraine, prophylactic treatment aims to reduce the frequency, duration and intensity of migraine attacks and reduce disability. The rate of adherence to treatment is low due to adverse effects and lack of efficacy. Sodium Valproate is first-line treatment. In recent years, interest has increased in the use of glutamate receptor antagonists for migraine prophylaxis, such as Memantine.

A single center, doble-blinded, controlled, randomized pilot clinical trial was conducted. The participants were randomized into the Memantine group who received doses of 10 mg twice a day or the group of Valproate sodium with 500 mg twice a day, for 12-week. Adverse events were monitored for safety assessment.

A total of 33 patients were enrolled; 17 were assigned to receive memantine, and 16 to receive sodium valproate. The memantine group with an average of migraine attacks per month prior to treatment of 5.31 (SD + 1.54) and after 12-week of treatment, an average of migraine attacks per month 0.93 (SD + 1.49) with a decrease of 4.21 (SD + 1.76) migraine attacks p << 0.001. In the sodium valproate group with an average of migraine attacks per month prior to treatment of 5.35 (SD + 1.11) and after 12-week of treatment, an average of migraine attacks per month of 0.77 (SD + 1.16), with a decrease of 4.5 (SD + 1.39) migraine attacks p << 0.001. Adverse effects were mild severity, the most common was somnolence in both groups.

Memantine could be a new prophylactic treatment option in migraine, however, a clinical trial with a larger size is required to corroborate the findings of this study.