An update on the blood vessel in migraine.
OBJECTIVE
The cranial blood vessel is considered an integral player in the pathophysiology of migraine, but its perceived role has been subject to much discussion and controversy over the years. We will discuss the evolution in our scientific understanding of cranial blood vessels (primarily arteries) in migraine.


RESULTS
Recent developments have clarified the role of cranial blood vessels in the trigemino-vascular system and in cortical spreading depression. An underlying theme is the intimate relation between vascular activity and neural function, and we will emphasize the various roles of the blood vessel that go beyond delivering blood. We conclude that migraine cannot be understood, either from a research or clinical point of view, without an understanding of the vascular derangements that accompany it.


CONCLUSIONS
Migraine is accompanied by significant derangements in vascular function that may represent important targets for investigation and treatment.
Brennan
K C
KC
Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, California, USA. kbrennan@mednet.ucla.edu
Charles
Andrew
A
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000502:physiology; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D017777:Parasympathetic Fibers, Postganglionic / Q000502:physiology; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D020433:Trigeminal Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*
D018836:Inflammation Mediators