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The Journal of Headache and Pain
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

The effect of 1 mg folic acid supplementation on clinical outcomes in female migraine with aura patients

Authors: Saras Menon, Bushra Nasir, Nesli Avgan, Sussan Ghassabian, Christopher Oliver, Rodney Lea, Maree Smith, Lyn Griffiths

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Migraine is a common neurovascular condition that may be linked to hyperhomocysteinemia. We have previously provided evidence that reduction of homocysteine with a vitamin supplementation can reduce the occurrence of migraine in women. The current study examined the occurrence of migraine in response to vitamin supplementation with a lower dose of folic acid.

Methods

This was a 6 month randomised, double blinded placebo controlled trial of daily vitamin supplementation containing 1 mg of folic acid, 25 mg of Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12, on reduction of homocysteine and the occurrence of migraine in 300 female patients diagnosed with migraine with aura.

Results

Vitamin supplementation with 1 mg of folic acid, did not significantly decrease homocysteine levels (P = 0.2). The treatment group did not show a significant decrease in the percentage of participants with high migraine disability, severity or frequency at the end of the 6 month intervention (P > 0.1).

Conclusion

1 mg of folic acid in combination with vitamin B6 and B12 is less effective in reducing migraine associated symptoms compared to the previously tested dosage of 2 mg folic acid in combination with 25 mg of vitamin B6 and 400 μg of vitamin B12.
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Metadata
Title
The effect of 1 mg folic acid supplementation on clinical outcomes in female migraine with aura patients
Authors
Saras Menon
Bushra Nasir
Nesli Avgan
Sussan Ghassabian
Christopher Oliver
Rodney Lea
Maree Smith
Lyn Griffiths
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-016-0652-7

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