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Serum tau protein elevation in migraine: a cross-sectional case-control study
Lucas Hendrik Overeem1,2, Bianca Raffaelli1,3, Robert Fleischmann4
1Department of Neurology With Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany.
The Journal of Headache and Pain
|September 19, 2023
Summary
Serum total-tau protein (t-tau) is elevated in migraine patients, indicating a potential new biomarker for this neurological disorder. This finding suggests t-tau may be a novel target for future migraine research and therapeutic development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Migraine is a complex neurological disorder involving neuropeptide release, pain, and inflammation.
- Tau protein, implicated in inflammatory diseases, is influenced by neuropeptides like CGRP, a key player in migraine pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum concentrations of total-tau protein (t-tau) in individuals with episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM) compared to healthy controls (HC).
- To explore t-tau as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for migraine.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 92 EM patients, 93 CM patients, and 42 HC.
- Serum concentrations of t-tau, neurofilament light chain protein (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L (UCH-L1) were measured.
- Matched serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were analyzed for central nervous system (CNS) source evaluation.
Main Results:
- Serum t-tau concentrations were significantly elevated in both EM and CM patients compared to HC.
- Elevated t-tau levels were observed in EM with and without aura, but not significantly different between these subgroups.
- Subgroup analysis of CM showed elevated t-tau only in patients not receiving preventive treatment.
- T-tau was elevated in serum but not in CSF, while NfL, GFAP, and UCH-L1 did not differ between groups.
Conclusions:
- Migraine is associated with elevated serum t-tau levels, but not in CSF.
- T-tau represents a novel potential biomarker and therapeutic target for migraine research.
