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Differing central amine receptor sensitivity in different migraine subtypes? A neuroendocrine study using buspirone
Eugene M Cassidy1, Esther Tomkins, Neda Sharifi
1Migraine/Headache Clinic, Department of Neurology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland Department of Endocrinology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Cork University hospital, Cork, Ireland.
Migraine without aura and chronic migraine patients show supersensitive 5HT1A receptor function, unlike migraine with aura patients. This suggests differing central 5HT system function across migraine subtypes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The 5HT1A receptor is crucial for central serotonergic tone.
- Research on the 5HT1A receptor's role in migraine subtypes is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate altered neuroendocrine responses to a 5HT1A agonist challenge in different migraine subtypes.
- To test the hypothesis of differing 5HT1A receptor function across migraine phenotypes.
Main Methods:
- Compared prolactin (PRL) responses to buspirone (a 5HT1A agonist) in female subjects with migraine subtypes (MA, MO, CM) and healthy controls.
- Measured endocrine response by calculating the difference between baseline PRL and maximum increase post-buspirone (deltaPRL).
- Excluded subjects on psychotropic medication or with psychiatric disorders.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in baseline PRL between groups.
- Migraine with aura (MA) subjects showed similar PRL responses to buspirone as controls.
- Migraine without aura (MO) and chronic migraine (CM) groups exhibited significantly increased deltaPRL responses compared to controls, indicating supersensitive 5HT1A receptor function.
Conclusions:
- Central 5HT function differs among migraine subtypes, with MO and CM showing supersensitivity.
- Findings support the hypothesis of distinct central 5HT system involvement in migraine pathophysiology.
- Migrainous transformation may involve adaptive changes in central 5HT receptor sensitivity.