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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Investigating Migraine-Like Behavior Using Light Aversion in Mice
Published on: August 11, 2021
Glutamate receptor antagonists in the management of migraine
Kayi Chan1, Antoinette MaassenVanDenBrink
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, Erasmus Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Migraine is a neurovascular disorder that is associated with severe headache and neurologic symptoms. The pathogenesis of migraine is believed to involve trigeminovascular system activation with the primary dysfunction located in brainstem. Glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, and its receptors have since long been suggested in migraine pathophysiology. Different preclinical studies have confirmed their potential role in migraine. Moreover, several glutamate receptor modulators have been studied in clinical studies, some with promising results. In this review, we will give an overview of what is known about the role of glutamate in the pathogenesis of migraine, which will be followed by an overview of available efficacy, safety and tolerability data for glutamate receptor inhibitors in clinical development for the treatment of migraine.
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