Migraine pathogenesis and state of pharmacological treatment options.
Migraine is a largely inherited disorder of the brain characterized by a complex, but stereotypical, dysfunction of sensory processing. Often the most obvious clinical symptom is head pain, but non-headache symptoms such as photophobia, phonophobia and nausea are clearly part of the typical presentation. This review discusses the current pathophysiological concepts of migraine and migraine aura, such as a possible brainstem dysfunction and cortical spreading depression. Acute and preventive migraine treatment approaches are briefly covered with a focus on shortcomings of the currently available treatment options. A number of different receptors, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), TRPV1 and glutamate receptors, are currently being targeted by potential novel migraine therapeutics. The prospects of this research are exciting and are likely to improve patient care.
Sprenger
Till
T
UCSF Headache Group-Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA. till.sprenger@ucsf.edu
Goadsby
Peter J
PJ
D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000639:trends; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*