Topically applied linoleic/linolenic acid for chronic migraine.
The topical application of linoleic and linolenic acids is a potential prophylactic approach to migraine via an anti-inflammatory mechanism. 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.
['Santos|Clarissa|C|', 'Weaver|Donald F|DF|']
D000818:Animals D005260:Female D006801:Humans D019787:Linoleic Acid D008042:Linolenic Acids D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D008881:Migraine Disorders D000069463:Olive Oil D012450:Safflower Oil
Linolenic acid Migraine Linoleic acid Case report Topical anti-inflammatory