Migraine headache pathophysiology

Anna P. Andreou*, Ana D. Pereira

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In both episodic and chronic migraine, headache is the most disabling symptom that requires medical care. The migraine headache is the most well-studied symptom of migraine pathophysiology. The trigeminal system and the central processing of sensory information transmitted by the trigeminal system are of considerable importance in the pathophysiology of migraine headache. Glutamate is the main neurotransmitter that drives activation of the ascending trigeminal and trigeminothalamic pathways. The neuropeptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) that is released by the trigeminal system, plays a crucial role in the neurobiology of headache. Peripheral and central sensitizations associated with trigeminal sensory processing are neurobiologic states that contribute to both the development of headache during a migraine attack and the maintenance of chronic migraine.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHandbook of Clinical Neurology
PublisherElsevier B.V.
Pages61-69
Number of pages9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2023

Publication series

NameHandbook of Clinical Neurology
Volume198
ISSN (Print)0072-9752
ISSN (Electronic)2212-4152

Keywords

  • Central sensitization
  • CGRP
  • Glutamate
  • Hypothalamus
  • Peripheral sensitization
  • Thalamus
  • Trigeminal system
  • Trigeminovascular system

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