Understanding the biology behind migraine premonitory symptoms

Overview

With support from The Migraine Trust, a new four-year iCASE PhD research project launched in October 2024 at King’s College London.

The project will explore the neurobiology of premonitory symptoms — the early, non-painful signs of an impending migraine attack — with the goal of uncovering new ideas for therapies that could act to normalise the migraine attack before the headache phase begins.

This research represents a major step toward redefining how migraine is treated, recognising it as a complex neurological disorder that is much more than a headache.

Why this research matters

Migraine is a highly disabling condition that significantly impacts quality of life. While traditional therapies focus on managing pain after a migraine begins, many people with migraine experience early warning symptoms — such as:

• Fatigue or low energy
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Food cravings or unusual thirst

These symptoms may appear hours or even days before the headache begins. Understanding them could be key to intervening earlier and reducing these bothersome symptoms or even in an attempt to stop these attacks at the earliest opportunity.

The research focus

This PhD project is investigating how the brain changes in the premonitory phase of a migraine. Scientists at King’s College London have already discovered abnormal activity in the hypothalamus — a deep-brain region responsible for regulating the body’s internal balance (homeostasis) — during this early stage.

The goal is to uncover mechanisms within the brain that can be targeted with new treatments before the pain even begins — potentially transforming migraine care.

Meet the Researcher: Mignon Van der Watt

This project will be led by Mignon Van der Watt, who joined King’s College London as a MRC-DTP iCASE PhD student in October 2024.

Mignon brings a strong academic background in biochemistry, neuroscience, and molecular biology, with a deep interest in translational research that bridges patient experience with lab science.

Our role in the project

At The Migraine Trust, we are proud to fund this research as part of our commitment to supporting early-career scientists and investing in cutting-edge science that is shaped by people living with migraine.