Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation May Be Correlated With Resolution of New Daily Persistent Headache

Authors

Mrinmayee Takle, Division of Neurology, The George Washington University/Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Jeffrey Strelzik, Division of Neurology, The George Washington University/Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Raquel Langdon, Division of Neurology, The George Washington University/Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Abigail Turner, Division of Neurology, The George Washington University/Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
William McClintock, Division of Neurology, The George Washington University/Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
John Barber, Division of Biostatistics and Study Methodology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Armelle Dejoie, Division of Neurology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Emily McCracken, Division of Neurology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Olivia Goucher, Division of Neurology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Marc DiSabella, Division of Neurology, The George Washington University/Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

9-1-2025

Journal

Journal of child neurology

DOI

10.1177/08830738251366866

Keywords

brain; headache; pediatric; treatment

Abstract

New daily persistent headache is a chronic, treatment-resistant primary headache disorder with limited guidance on effective management. Despite its significant impact on headache-related quality of life, few studies have identified targeted therapies that contribute to symptom resolution. This study aims to describe the outcomes of pediatric patients diagnosed with new daily persistent headache and assess associations between specific interventions and headache resolution. A retrospective review was conducted using data from a patient registry at Children's National Hospital. Patients diagnosed with new daily persistent headache were included. Demographic characteristics, clinical features, prior treatments, and resolution rates were analyzed. Statistical comparisons were made between patients who experienced headache resolution and those with persistence of headache. A total of 182 pediatric patients were included (mean age: 15.5 years; 78% female). Headache resolution occurred in 47 patients (25.8%). For patients whose new daily persistent headache resolved, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation was the only treatment that reached statistical significance, being more frequently administered in the resolved group compared with the nonresolved group (17% vs 4%, P = .010). Additional treatments approaching statistical significance during resolution of new daily persistent headache included magnesium (P = .086), topiramate (P = .112), and onabotulinum toxin A injections (P = .179). Patients who engaged in regular exercise showed a trend toward higher resolution rates (P = .058). CoQ10 supplementation may play a role in new daily persistent headache resolution, with potential benefit from exercise, magnesium, topiramate, and onabotulinum toxin A injections approaching significance. Further prospective studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to establish causality and optimize treatment strategies for pediatric new daily persistent headache.

APA Citation

Takle, Mrinmayee; Strelzik, Jeffrey; Langdon, Raquel; Turner, Abigail; McClintock, William; Barber, John; Dejoie, Armelle; McCracken, Emily; Goucher, Olivia; and DiSabella, Marc, "Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation May Be Correlated With Resolution of New Daily Persistent Headache" (2025). GW Authored Works. Paper 8024.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/8024

Department

Neurology