NCT07061847 · Northwell Health
Bilateral Middle Meningeal Artery Lidocaine Infusion for Chronic Debilitating Migraines
What this study is about
The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a new treatment in improving chronic migraine symptoms. This treatment involves a targeted lidocaine infusion into blood vessels in the skull to numb pain receptors, potentially leading to improvements in chronic migraine intensity, frequency, and duration.
View original scientific description
The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a new treatment in improving chronic migraine symptoms. This treatment involves a targeted lidocaine infusion into blood vessels in the skull to numb pain receptors, potentially leading to improvements in chronic migraine intensity, frequency, and duration.
Interventions
DRUG
Lidocaine (drug)
The study intervention involves the use of 1% cardiac preservative-free lidocaine. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic commonly used in medical procedures to numb a specific area of the body. In this case, the lidocaine is formulated at a concentration of 1% and will be diluted to 50 mL with normal saline. This treatment is an intra-arterial bilateral lidocaine infusion into the middle meningeal artery (i.e. this is a lidocaine infusion into the brain blood vessels to turn off the pain receptors responsible for causing chronic headaches). Lidocaine is an FDA approved anesthetic (i.e. pain killer) used in common medical practice. Lidocaine, however, has not yet been approved by the FDA for this particular use. For this reason, the use of lidocaine in this study is considered investigational.
PROCEDURE
Lidocaine Procedure
All patient who meet eligibility criteria at their baseline visit will be scheduled for the Liocaine procedure.
Primary outcome measures
Reduction in Monthly Migraine Headache Days
Time frame: From enrollment to post-treatment at 3 months
To observe a ≥50% reduction in monthly migraine headache days in one month post intra-arterial lidocaine infusion into the bilateral middle meningeal artery.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Adults aged 18 to 75 years with a very severe to extremely severe medically refractory Chronic Daily Headache (CDH).
- Chronic: as defined by the International Headache Society Classification ICHD 3 (\>15 headache days a month for a period of at least 3 months)
- Medically refractory: defined as failure of ≥3 headache preventative treatments.
- Severely disabling (Migraine Disability Assessment \[MIDAS\] Tool score of ≥ 21 \[Grade IV\])
- Score of 6 (very severe) or 7 (extremely severe) on the Global Assessment of Migraine Severity (GAMS) rating scale.
- Head pain is at least moderate-to-severe intensity (\>5 on a Visual Analog Scale) in ≥50% of headaches.
- Diagnosis of CDH for ≥ 12 months before screening based on medical records and/or patient self-report.
- Headache frequency: minimum 15 monthly headache days (MHD) on average across the 3 months prior to screening
- Patient reports to their provider intolerance or insufficient response with their current preventive treatment (i.e. insufficient reduction in headache frequency, duration, and severity on a standard treatment on a generally accept therapeutic dose for 6 weeks).
- On a stable concomitant medication and headache preventive for the 3 months prior to screening During Baseline Period:
- Must have ≥ 15 MHD based on the patient self-maintained diary data during the baseline period.
- Must have demonstrated \>75% compliance with diary data for the 28 day duration period, or longer if their baseline period carries on past this point.
- Must continue to meet eligibility criteria when reassessed at baseline completion visit
Exclusion criteria
- Recently started new migraine preventative treatment regimen within the past 3 months.
- Known allergy or sensitivity to lidocaine.
- Lidoderm patch (not an exclusion if the Lidoderm patch has been removed for ≥ 3 days before the procedure)
- Severe allergy/anaphylaxis to iodinated contrast dye.
- Any intracranial pathology on brain imaging (head CT or MRI within the past 12 months)
- Chronic subdural hematoma
- Ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction within 3 months 8. History of renal insufficiency with Cr \> 1.5 within 3 months (will be retested during pre-surgical testing). 9\. History of abnormal ECGs within 3 months, specifically:
- Prolonged QT syndrome
- Use of medications that may prolong the QT interval such as: anti-nausea, anti-emetics, etc. 10\. Taking any antiarrhythmic medication (other than a beta blocker) 11\. Symptomatic peripheral arterial disease 12\. Known inherited or acquired bleeding diathesis (not including antiplatelet or anticoagulation medication) 13\. Evidence of active substance-related disorders, addictive disorders, or "recreational use" of illicit drugs. a. If any of these disorders have occurred within 12 months prior to screening, based on medical records, patient self-report, or positive urine drug test (except for prescribed medications that may result in a positive urine drug test). 14\. Active chronic pain syndromes (e.g., fibromyalgia and chronic pelvic pain). 15\. History of major psychiatric disorder or current evidence of moderately severe or severe depression based on a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) total score ≥ 15 at screening. a. Subjects with history of anxiety disorder and/or major depressive disorder with PHQ-9 \< 15) and are taking no more than 1 medication, for each disorder, for at least 2 months prior to screening may be considered. 16\. If the subject is pregnant, planning on pregnancy during the duration of the study, or planning on making their partner pregnant will be excluded from the study unless proper contraception is in place. 17\. Any diagnosis at the discretion of the investigator that would make the patient unfit.
Where
- Great Neck, New York
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced May 22, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations