Platelet as a model to test autonomic function in migraine.
In order to evaluate the role of the sympathetic autonomic nervous system (SANS) in common migraine we measured platelet catecholamine levels in a group of patients and in control subjects after 1 and 30 min of supine rest. Common migraine patients showed, at 1 min of supine rest, higher platelet norepinephrine (NE) content in comparison with the controls. This result may reflect a decreased release of platelet dense bodies in migraineurs. The same patients showed after 30' of supine rest a hardly significant increase of platelet NE levels in contrast to the clearly significant increase found in controls. These findings support the hypothesis of sympathetic hypofunction in migraine.
D'Andrea
G
G
Department of Neurology, "San Bortolo" Hospital, Vicenza, Italy.
Cananzi
A R
AR
Morra
M
M
Fornasiero
S
S
Zamberlan
F
F
Ferro-Milone
F
F
Joseph
R
R
Grunfeld
S
S
Welch
K M
KM
D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism
D002395:Catecholamines; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine