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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Modeling Neural Immune Signaling of Episodic and Chronic Migraine Using Spreading Depression In Vitro
Published on: June 13, 2011
["Spreading depression" and peri-infarct depolarizations. Relevant pathological events in migraine and stroke?]
1Neurologische Klinik, Universitätskrankenhaus Hamburg-Eppendorf. roether@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Abstract:
Spreading depression is a fascinating phenomenon that can be provoked by chemical, electrical or mechanical stimuli of the cortex. Spreading depression-like transient depolarizations are observed in the peri-infarct tissue after focal ischemia. The reduction in electrical activity and a negative direct current potential shift propagating over the cortex with a rate of 2-5 mm/minute are the physiological hallmarks. It is thought that spreading depression and peri-infarct depolarizations might play a role in the pathogenesis of migraine and stroke. However, these events have never been detected in humans. This paper reviews the physiological characteristics of spreading depression and peri-infarct depolarizations and discusses their potential role in migraine and stroke.
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