Migraine: new treatment options from molecular biology.
Migraine is a common, disabling, multifactorial, episodic neurovascular disorder of largely unknown etiology. The disease is typically characterized by recurrent attacks of headaches and associated autonomic and neurologic symptoms. Current acute and prophylactic treatment options are far from optimal and in many cases, empirically chosen. Clearly, improved treatment is desperately needed. New drug targets may emerge from molecular research as the unravelling of the molecular basis of migraine should improve our understanding of the disease, notably why patients experience attacks so frequently. The first two migraine genes discovered in families with hemiplegic migraine encode ion transporters, emphasising that dysfunction of ion transport may be an important factor in migraine. Therefore, ion transporters can be considered as novel targets for the development of future antimigraine drugs. Molecular biologic research will increasingly become important in understanding the pathophysiology of migraine and in identifying potential molecular targets for novel treatments.
Stam
Anine H
AH
Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. a.h.stam@lumc.nl
Haan
Joost
J
Frants
Rune R
RR
Ferrari
Michel D
MD
van den Maagdenberg
Arn Mjm
AM
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005104:Expert Testimony; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods*; D014363:Tryptamines / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D014363:Tryptamines; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide