Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Migraine and genetic and acquired vasculopathies
A H Stam1, J Haan, A M J M van den Maagdenberg
1Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
It is remarkable that migraine is a prominent part of the phenotype of several genetic vasculopathies, including cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leucoencephalopathy (CADASIL), retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukodystrophy (RVCL) and hereditary infantile hemiparessis, retinal arteriolar tortuosity and leukoencephalopahty (HIHRATL). The mechanisms by which these genetic vasculopathies give rise to migraine are still unclear. Common genetic susceptibility, increased susceptibility to cortical spreading depression (CSD) and vascular endothelial dysfunction are among the possible explanations. The relation between migraine and acquired vasculopathies such as ischaemic stroke and coronary heart disease has long been established, further supporting a role of the (cerebral) blood vessels in migraine. This review focuses on genetic and acquired vasculopathies associated with migraine. We speculate how genetic and acquired vascular mechanisms might be involved in migraine.
Related Concept Videos
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology