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Published on: June 16, 2023
Procalcitonin levels in migraine patients
Hale Turan1, Bahriye Horasanli, Murat Ugur
1Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Department, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Selçuklu, Konya, Turkey.
Summary
Elevated procalcitonin (PCT) levels during migraine attacks suggest sterile inflammation plays a role in migraine pathogenesis. This finding may have implications for understanding migraine-related ischemic stroke risk.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Inflammation Research
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Migraine is a recognized risk factor for ischemic stroke.
- Sterile vascular inflammation is hypothesized to occur during migraine attacks.
- Procalcitonin (PCT) is a marker for infection and sepsis, but also elevated in inflammatory conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate procalcitonin (PCT) levels in migraine patients.
- To determine if PCT levels differ between migraine attack periods and inter-attack periods.
- To explore the potential role of sterile inflammation in migraine pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Eighty adult migraine patients were recruited.
- Patients were grouped based on migraine attack status (during vs. inter-attack).
- Further subgrouping was done based on aura status (with vs. without aura).
Main Results:
- Average PCT levels were significantly higher in patients during migraine attacks compared to inter-attack periods (p<0.01).
- Serum PCT levels were significantly elevated in patients with migraine without aura during attacks versus inter-attack periods (p<0.01).
Conclusions:
- Significantly elevated PCT levels support the role of sterile inflammation in migraine pathogenesis.
- Further research is needed to ascertain if PCT can serve as a marker for ischemic stroke risk in frequent migraine sufferers.
