Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

5-Hydroxytryptamine and its role in migraine.

J W Lance1

  • 1Institute of Neurological Sciences, Prince Henry Hospital, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.

European Neurology
|January 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary

Migraine headaches involve low serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) levels. Sumatriptan, a 5-HT1-like agonist, effectively treats migraines by constricting cranial vessels, unlike serotonin itself.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

New appendix criteria open for a broader concept of chronic migraine.

Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache·2006
Same author

The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition (ICHD-II)--revision of criteria for 8.2 Medication-overuse headache.

Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache·2005
Same author

The Babinski sign.

Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2002
Same author

Global impact of Danish headache research.

Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache·2001
Same author

Have the triptans fulfilled their promise?

Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia·2001
Same author

Ophthalmoplegic migraine: a recurrent demyelinating neuropathy?

Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache·2001

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Platelet serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) levels are reduced during migraine attacks.
  • Reserpine administration, which depletes 5-HT stores, can trigger headaches in migraineurs.
  • Intravenous 5-HT administration alleviates migraine but causes significant side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of 5-HT in migraine pathophysiology.
  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 5-HT receptor agonists in migraine treatment.
  • To understand the mechanisms underlying migraine prophylaxis and acute attack termination.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical observation of 5-HT levels during migraine.
  • Pharmacological challenge with reserpine and 5-HT in patients.
  • Evaluation of sumatriptan's therapeutic effects and side effect profile.
  • Analysis of 5-HT receptor distribution in cranial vasculature and the central nervous system.

Main Results:

  • Sumatriptan, a 5-HT1-like agonist, provides migraine relief with fewer side effects compared to 5-HT.
  • 5-HT receptors are found in cranial arteries and central nervous system pathways controlling cranial circulation and pain.
  • Migraine pathophysiology involves complex interactions between central neural pathways and cranial blood vessels.

Conclusions:

  • The 5-HT1 receptor-mediated cranial vessel constriction is crucial for terminating acute migraine attacks.
  • Central 5-HT2 antagonism is likely the mechanism for many migraine prophylactic agents.
  • Targeting specific 5-HT receptor subtypes offers a promising therapeutic strategy for migraine management.

Related Experiment Videos