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Published on: June 2, 2014
Epilepsy and migraine: The dopamine hypotheses
1Department of Neurology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, No. 325, Section 2, Cheng-Kung Road, Neihu 114, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. csi1@pie.com.tw
Medical Hypotheses
|November 22, 2005
Summary
Dopamine
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
Background:
- Migraine and epilepsy are chronic recurrent disorders with shared risk factors, symptoms, and treatments.
- Dopamine's role in migraine pathophysiology and epileptogenesis is supported by evidence but remains controversial.
- A comprehensive hypothetical model for dopamine's involvement is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a comprehensive "Dopamine hypothesis" explaining the pathophysiology of migraine and epilepsy.
- To elucidate the dual role of dopamine in these neurological disorders.
- To highlight dopamine's potential in prophylaxis and neuroprotection for both conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on dopamine's role in migraine and epilepsy.
- Analysis of proposed "Dopamine hypothesis" regarding dopamine tone in different states.
- Examination of dopamine's function in neuroendocrine, autonomic, and neuronal systems.
Main Results:
- The "Dopamine hypothesis" suggests low dopamine tone in migraine and high dopamine in generalized epilepsy.
- Periodic attacks in both disorders may stem from a drop in dopamine activity.
- Dopamine is crucial for linking neuroendocrine, autonomic, and neuronal functions.
Conclusions:
- Dopamine plays a significant, albeit complex and debated, role in the pathophysiology of both migraine and epilepsy.
- The proposed "Dopamine hypothesis" offers a framework for understanding these disorders.
- Dopamine agonists show potential for prophylaxis and neuroprotection in migraine and epilepsy management.
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