[Pathophysiology of migraine: models to explain the generation of migraine headache].
Migraine attacks can be elicited by many different trigger situations such as light, food and the menstruation cycle. However, patients share a common pathophysiology, and a number of theories have been proposed as to how migraine can be generated. After a brief introduction of the trigeminal nociceptive system, 4 attempts to explain the generation of migraine attacks are described and discussed: One deals with the "cortical spreading depression (CSD) theory" which favors a cortical dysfunction. The second provides some evidence that a genetic mutation of calcium channels might be the cause. The third is based on a pathophysiological role of endogenous serotonin because serotonin agonists are effective drugs in the treatment of migraine and the last one postulates a migraine generator in the brainstem.
Ebersberger
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Institut für Physiologie, Abteilung Neurophysiologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Germany. aebe@mti-n.uni-jena.de
D002888:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19; D013181:Cortical Spreading Depression / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology
D012701:Serotonin