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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Ex Vivo Release of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide from the Trigeminovascular System in Rodents
Published on: May 16, 2022
CGRP receptors in the control of pain and inflammation
Silvia Benemei1, Paola Nicoletti, Jay G Capone
1Center for the Study of Headache, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Abstract:
Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) has been proposed to contribute to pain transmission and inflammation and for these reasons to the mechanism of migraine. CGRP is, in fact, expressed in and released from a subset of polymodal primary sensory neurons of the trigeminal ganglion. Release of CGRP in the dorsal spinal cord has been associated to nociceptive transmission, and release from perivascular nerve endings causes neurogenic vasodilatation. CGRP levels increase in the cranial circulation during migraine attacks, and GRP injection in migraineurs results in migraine-like attacks. Most importantly, two chemically unrelated CGRP-receptor antagonists, the parenteral agent, olcegepant, and the orally available telcagepant demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of migraine attacks, thus supporting CGRP as an important mediator in migraine.
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