Japanese 12-Month Study: Anti-CGRP Drugs Achieve 52% Response with 94% Patient Satisfaction | Research

The takeaway

Three anti-CGRP mAbs achieved ≥50% migraine day reduction in 52% of Japanese patients at 12 months, with 3-month response predicting long-term outcome and 94% patient satisfaction.

3-month checkpoint
Response at 3 months predicted long-term anti-CGRP success — providing an early decision point for continuing or switching therapy

What the researchers found

≥50% responder: 54% (6 months), 52% (12 months). 3-month response predicted 6-month response. Migraine symptoms/aura improved through 5 months. Injection site reactions: 24%→11%. Satisfaction: 94% at 12 months. 150 Japanese patients.

Why it matters

East Asian anti-CGRP data is limited. This 12-month study with 94% satisfaction provides strong real-world evidence for Japanese prescribers.

How the study worked

Single-center 12-month observational study, 150 Japanese migraine patients (81 episodic, 69 chronic), 3 CGRP mAbs, with multivariate regression for response predictors.

What this study cannot tell us

Single-center. Observational. 150 patients across 3 drugs limits per-drug analysis.

How to read the evidence

12-month single-center observational study. Real-world evidence with long follow-up.

When this study was published

Published in 2025.

The bigger picture

Anti-CGRP drugs maintain long-term efficacy and improving satisfaction in a Japanese population, supporting their use across Asian populations.

Questions still open

Should non-responders at 3 months switch to a different anti-CGRP drug?
Do Japanese patients respond differently to specific anti-CGRP antibodies?
Would combining anti-CGRP drugs with other preventives improve response?

Common questions

How well do anti-CGRP drugs work long-term in Japanese patients?

Over 12 months, 52% of patients had their migraines cut in half and 94% were satisfied. These results are consistent with Western data, confirming effectiveness across populations.

How quickly should I expect results?

Most improvement occurs in the first 3 months. If you respond well at 3 months, you're very likely to continue benefiting. If not, your doctor may consider switching treatments.

Read the original research

A 12-month observational study on the safety, efficacy on migraine-associated symptoms and satisfaction of CGRP monoclonal antibodies in Japanese patients with migraine.

Journal of the neurological sciences, 481, 125751

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Imai, Shungo; Ihara, Keiko; Takahashi, Nobuyuki; Ohtani, Seiya; Watanabe, Narumi; Iba, Chisato; Ishizuchi, Kei; Takemura, Ryo; Nakahara, Jin; Hori, Satoko; Takizawa, Tsubasa. (2026). A 12-month observational study on the safety, efficacy on migraine-associated symptoms and satisfaction of CGRP monoclonal antibodies in Japanese patients with migraine.. Journal of the neurological sciences, 481, 125751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2026.125751