Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Detection and Quantification of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide CGRP in Human Plasma Using a Modified Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Published on: June 16, 2023
Novel migraine therapy with calcitonin gene-regulated peptide receptor antagonists
1Lund University Hospital, Department of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Sciences, S-221 85 Lund, Sweden. lars.edvinsson@med.lu.se
Abstract:
Primary headaches, for example, migraine and cluster headaches represent the most prevalent neurological disorders, affecting up to 15-20% of the adult population. There is a clear association between head pain and the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). In this review the role of CGRP in human cranial circulation is described and the role for specific CGRP antagonism elucidated. It is well known that triptans (5-HT(1B/1D) agonist) alleviate headache in part through normalisation of CGRP levels. The central role of CGRP in migraine pathophysiology has resulted in the development of small-molecule CGRP antagonists with no cardiovascular side effects. Such compounds have high selectivity for human CGRP receptors and are efficacious in the relief of acute migraine attacks. Research indicates that they effect the abluminal side of the blood-brain barrier and that they are not vasoconstrictive, providing a new dimension in therapy.
Related Concept Videos
Gene Regulation During Sporulation
Gene Therapy
Drug-Receptor Interaction: Antagonist
Antagonists can be classified as competitive or noncompetitive based on their...
Antiasthma Drugs: Muscarinic Receptor Antagonists
Antimuscarinic agents compete with ACh for the same binding site on the muscarinic receptors. By binding to these receptors, they inhibit the downstream effects of ACh and block the parasympathetic...
Adrenergic Antagonists: ɑ and β-Receptor Blockers
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

