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Cerebrospinal fluid sodium increases in migraine
Michael G Harrington1, Alfred N Fonteh, Robert P Cowan
1Huntington Medical Research Institutes, Molecular Neurology, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA.
Headache
|July 27, 2006
Summary
Migraine attacks show elevated sodium levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), suggesting a disruption in sodium homeostasis. This finding may explain neurological changes associated with migraine symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurochemistry
Background:
- Pharmaceuticals targeting calcium and sodium channels are used for migraine prophylaxis.
- Gene mutations linked to familial hemiplegic migraine involve calcium and sodium channels.
- Alterations in calcium or sodium homeostasis in migraine remain uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood plasma.
- To investigate these levels in migraineurs during symptomatic (MH+) and asymptomatic (MH-) states, and in controls.
Main Methods:
- Prospective recruitment of 20 migraineurs (without aura) and 11 controls.
- Collection of lumbar CSF and venous blood plasma samples.
- Quantification of electrolytes (Na+, Ca2+, K+, Mg) and osmolality.
Main Results:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sodium (Na+) levels were significantly higher in migraineurs during symptomatic attacks (MH+) compared to asymptomatic states (MH-) and controls.
- CSF Na+ levels increased by 2 mmol/L in MH+ versus MH- states within the same individuals.
- No significant differences were observed in plasma Na+, CSF Ca2+, Mg, K+, or osmolality among the groups.
Conclusions:
- Elevated CSF Na+ concentration during migraine attacks (MH+) indicates a deviation in sodium homeostasis.
- This increase in extracellular Na+ during symptomatic phases may contribute to the neural mechanisms underlying migraine symptoms.
- CSF concentrations of Ca2+, Mg, K+, and plasma Na+ levels were not significantly altered.