Bilateral Embolization of the Middle Meningeal Arteries for Refractory Chronic Migraine

NCT07223008 | Recruiting DMC FDA Device

• 1 other identifier: IRB00513681
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 13
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is to test the safety and feasibility of a procedure called embolization of the middle meningeal arteries (MMA), using a product called Onyx. Embolization creates a plug in the arteries. MMA embolization with Onyx is not approved for use in patients with migraines, but is currently used in patients with subdural hematomas. The FDA is allowing the use of Onyx in this study. It is thought that by using Onyx to block the middle meningeal arteries, the amount of migraine-causing substances which are released into the brain's bloodstream will be reduced. The company that manufactures Onyx, Medtronic, is providing the supplies for this study. Participants will be in the study for about 8 months after enrolling, including 6 months of follow up after the procedure. The participants will be asked to complete a daily headache diary and continue the participant's regular migraine medications. Participants will also have several clinic visits and be asked to provide blood samples for research.

Conditions

Migraine; Chronic Migraine Headache; Refractory Migraine

Keywords

embolization; middle meningeal artery

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Number of specified adverse events related to the study

  Strokes (ischemic and hemorrhagic), blindness, facial palsy, epidural hematoma, and death within 30 days of the embolization

  30 days after procedure

Study Arms (1)

Treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will undergo embolization of the middle meningeal arteries with Onyx.

Device: embolization of middle meningeal arteries

Interventions

embolization of middle meningeal arteries DEVICE

Participants will undergo embolization of the middle meningeal arteries with Onyx

Treatment

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18\<x\<80
• Satisfy criteria for refractory chronic migraine defined as failure of, inadequate response to, or inability to tolerate migraine preventatives in at least 2 classes. Migraine preventatives include beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, anti-convulsants (valproic acid, topiramate), anti-depressants (venlafaxine, amitriptyline), CGRP monoclonal antibodies, botulinum toxin injections. Chronic migraines must have persisted for at least 12 months prior to enrollment and at least 6 months after failing 2 classes of medication.
• Has not used opiates or barbiturates as acute (rescue) therapy for migraine headache. Opiate or barbiturate use for reasons other than migraine is allowed. Other classes of acute migraine medications are acceptable. Acute (rescue, abortive) medications for migraines include acetaminophen, NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), gepants, triptans, anti-emetics (anti-nausea medications).
• At least one migraine free day during the last month per headache diary.
• Minimum MIDAS score of 21 (reflecting severely disabling migraine, in concordance with ongoing MMA lidocaine infusion trial44).
• Able to read/write in English. Patients who are not English language users will not be enrolled as the study assessments are only validated in English.
• Able to sign informed consent for themselves.
• Able to complete study requirements/follow-up as outlined in study plan section 3.6.

You may not qualify if:

• History of cranial or cervical vascular interventions or surgery, including craniotomy/craniectomy, shunt placement, stereoelectroencephalography, and carotid endarterectomy.
• A history of opiate or barbiturate use for the treatment of chronic migraine within one year.
• History of cranial radiation treatment.
• Patients with additional diagnoses under ICHD3 (such as hemiplegic migraine, basilar migraine, new daily persistent headache, or cluster headache) are ineligible
• Significant liver function impairment or serum creatinine \> 2.0 mg/dL. Patients with elevated creatinine levels who are on dialysis may be eligible.
• History of systemic malignancy or auto-immune inflammatory disorders (such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune diseases).
• History of life-threatening allergy to radiographic contrast. Patients with this allergy may be eligible if it can be managed medically.
• Enrollment in another migraine study which could confound this study's endpoints, including undergoing any intervention or receiving an experimental drug under investigation for migraine therapy.
• Additional medical or social concerns which could confound this study's endpoints or otherwise create undue risk or interfere with the participant's ability to complete the study, as assessed by the PI.
• As this study is open only to patients with chronic migraine, which is refractory to treatment, patients who have previously been diagnosed with chronic migraine but now experience episodic migraine due to effective therapy are not eligible.
• Patients with additional diagnoses under ICHD3 (such as hemiplegic migraine, basilar migraine, new daily persistent headache, or cluster headache) are ineligible.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Johns Hopkins University: lead
• Medtronic: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Migraine Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Headache Disorders, Primary; Headache Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Study Officials

• Risheng Xu, MD, PhD

  Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Kelly Szajna

CONTACT

000-000-0000; ksajna1@jhmi.edu

Kallan Dirmeyer

CONTACT

000-000-0000; kdirmey1@jhmi.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 28, 2025
• First Posted: October 31, 2025
• Study Start: April 24, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2028
• Last Updated: May 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)