title: Serotonin metabolism in migraine.
abstract: To investigate systemic serotonin (5-HT) metabolism in migraine, we determined platelet and platelet-free plasma concentrations of 5-HT, its precursors tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan, and its main metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), as well as the activities of the platelet enzymes monoamine oxidase and phenolsulfotransferase in classic and common migraineurs. Between attacks, migraineurs had lower plasma 5-HT and higher 5-HIAA levels than did healthy controls and patients with tension headache. During migraine attacks, plasma 5-HT levels were substantially higher than during attack-free periods, while 5-HIAA concentrations and platelet enzyme activities were lower. Platelet 5-HT was reduced only during common, but not classic, migraine attacks. We hypothesize that systemic 5-HT metabolism is enhanced in migraineurs during headache-free periods and transiently decreases during attacks, presumably due to a fall in enzymatic degradation. Furthermore, platelet behavior differs during migraine attacks with and without aura, and release of platelet 5-HT cannot (exclusively) be held accountable for the rise of plasma 5-HT during migraine attacks.
authors: Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: M D
authors: MD
authors: Ferrari
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Odink
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Tapparelli
authors: G M
authors: GM
authors: Van Kempen
authors: E J
authors: EJ
authors: Pennings
authors: G W
authors: GW
authors: Bruyn
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan / Q000097:blood; D006261:Headache / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase