title: Clinical and animal pharmacology of migraine: new perspectives.
abstract: Animal and clinical pharmacological studies show in certain vascular beds a biphasic action [potentiation and inhibition of serotonin (5-HT) responses] of some anti-migraine drugs, such as ergotamine, methysergide and more recently Org GC 94. Potentiation occurs at therapeutic drug concentrations. The present investigations seem to support the 5-HT theory of migraine and other essential headaches. In this theory, anti-migraine drugs, such as ergotamine, methysergide, pizotifen, and Org GC 94 could reduce the occurrence of pain in migraine and other esscutial headaches by acting as partial agonists tending to correct a deficiency of central 5-HT concentrations or turnover.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D003989:Dibenzoxazepines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009666:Nose / Q000098:blood supply; D051381:Rats; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D003989:Dibenzoxazepines; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents