Chronic Migraine, Medication Overuse Headache, Traditional Approaches and Emerging Therapies

Chronic migraine and medication overuse headache (MOH) remain formidable challenges in clinical practice, affecting millions worldwide and placing a significant burden on individuals and society. MOH, arguably the most prevalent secondary headache disorder, commonly emerges in those already suffering from migraine or chronic tension-type headache. Historically, treatment of patients with chronic migraine and MOH has centered around the abrupt discontinuation of overused medications and subsequent preventive management—a process fraught with adherence issues and variable outcomes. Recently, emerging therapies such as anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies have shown promise in reshaping treatment paradigms, offering hope for more effective and sustainable headache management. As developments accelerate in this field, it is vital to build a comprehensive, up-to-date body of knowledge to guide clinicians and inform research.

This Research Topic aims to address key challenges in the identification, management, and treatment of chronic migraine—with and without associated medication overuse headache—and to highlight advances in therapies, particularly anti-CGRP treatments. We seek articles that explore the clinical and neurobiological mechanisms underlying MOH; strategies for prevention, withdrawal, and relapse reduction; as well as barriers to successful intervention in chronic migraineurs who do or do not present with medication overuse. Furthermore, we encourage exploration of recent and emerging therapies, including real-world efficacy, safety, patient experience, and healthcare impact of anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies and other innovative treatments. Manuscripts that increase understanding of MOH epidemiology, pathophysiology, genetic or biochemical biomarkers, and societal burden are particularly welcome. By bringing together cutting-edge research and expert perspectives, we aim to foster advances in patient care and stimulate further investigation at the intersection of chronic migraine, MOH, and evolving therapeutic options.

Scope and Information for Authors
We welcome submissions of: Original Research, Review Articles, Clinical Trials, Case Reports, Opinions & Perspectives
and Short Communications

Potential themes and topics include, but are not limited to:
- Clinical characterization and diagnosis of chronic migraine and MOH
- Epidemiology, public health, and socio-economic burden of MOH
- Mechanisms of medication overuse: neurobiological and behavioral perspectives
- Novel and emerging therapies (anti-CGRP agents, neuromodulation, etc.)
- Challenges in withdrawal, relapse prevention, and treatment adherence
- Biomarkers and predictors of MOH susceptibility or chronic migraine course
- Tension-type headache and its overlap with MOH
- Patient experience, quality of life, and healthcare resource utilization
- Policy, guidelines, and health system approaches to headache management

Submissions should align with the section’s focus on advancing the understanding and treatment of headache disorders. We especially encourage interdisciplinary approaches and work that bridges clinical care and underlying mechanisms.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: chronic migraine, medication overuse headache, anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies, gepants, Headache prevention, Neurobiological mechanisms, Preventive therapy, Central sensitization, Medication withdrawal, Relapse prevention, Neuromodulation, Headache biomarkers, Headache epidemiology

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.