Phase 1b Study in Patients With Short-Lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform Headache Attacks (SUNHA)

Low-dose psilocybin in short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks: results from an open-label phase Ib ascending dose study

In an open-label phase Ib ascending-dose study terminated early after enrolling four patients (three completers), low-dose oral psilocybin with psychological support was well tolerated and induced strong subjective altered states and psychological insights, with two participants showing >50% reductions in attack frequency but overall limited effects on headache severity or duration. Cognition could not be assessed acutely due to high subjective dose intensity, and the small sample prevents any conclusive evidence for psilocybin in SUNHA, though the findings suggest psychological factors may be an important treatment target.

Published

September 20, 2024

Journal

Headache

Authors

Rucker, J., Butler, M., Hambleton, S., Bird, C., Seynaeve, M., Cheema, S., Campbell-Coker, K., Maggio, C., Dunbar, F., Lambru, G., Matharu, M.