[Migraine and beta blocker. An overview]

Migraine is considered to be a primarily neurogenic disease. In this common headache syndrome beta-blockers are widely used as prophylactic drugs. In the meantime there is evidence for central beta-receptors. The effect of beta-blockers is considered to be based on a reduction of the increased sympathetic tonus and its influence on the intracerebral vessels. Beta-blockers--such as Atenolol, Metoprolol, Nadolol, Pindolol, Propranolol and Timolol which differ according to their intrinsic activity, their selectiv cardiac effects, their membran stabilizing ability, their hydro- or lipophily as well as according to their plasmaprotein binding capacity are used. Therefore, it is more likely that beta-blockers develop their effect through a stabilisation of the intrasynaptic serotonin-level in the serotonergic neurons of the brainstem.