Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42458293›Full record

SynthesisThe journal of headache and pain2026

Regulatory T cell levels in migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Emily Stuchfield-Denby, Samuel Adelou, Xavier Moisset, Radhouane Dallel

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The journal of headache and pain, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Emily Stuchfield-DenbyUniversité Clermont Auvergne, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Inserm, Neuro-Dol, Clermont-Ferrand, F- 63000, France. emily.stuchfield-denby@doctorant.uca.fr.
Samuel AdelouDepartment of Clinical Research and Innovation, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, F- 63000, France.
Xavier Moisset *Université Clermont Auvergne, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Inserm, Neuro-Dol, Clermont-Ferrand, F- 63000, France.
Radhouane Dallel *Université Clermont Auvergne, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Inserm, Neuro-Dol, Clermont-Ferrand, F- 63000, France.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAlthough recent research suggests that regulatory T (Treg) cells may be involved in migraine pathophysiology, no review has provided a comprehensive assessment of their levels in this condition. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess Treg levels in migraine patients.

methodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane on July 5, 2024 (updated on March 19, 2026), and included all original studies providing data on Treg levels in migraine.

resultsAmong 1,162 studies identified, five were included in the narrative review and four in the meta-analysis. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated to compare peripheral whole blood Treg levels between migraine and control groups. Our narrative review showed decreased Treg levels in three of five studies comparing migraine patients and controls, and in two of three studies on interictal episodic migraine patients and controls. Our meta-analysis of few but carefully selected data suggested a significant decrease in Treg cell levels in migraine (SMD - 4.21 [-7.76; -0.66], p = 0.02, I²=98.3%).

conclusionsOur findings suggest Treg levels are decreased in migraine and of potential interest in understanding migraine pathophysiology. However, the limited data available warrant further investigations to shed light on their relevance and therapeutic potential in this condition.

trial registrationPROSPERO CRD42023490445. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Migraine DisordersT-Lymphocytes, RegulatoryHumansImmunologyMigraineRegulatory T cells

Identifiers

PMID42458293
PMCPMC13656507

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.