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Modeling Neural Immune Signaling of Episodic and Chronic Migraine Using Spreading Depression In Vitro
Published on: June 13, 2011
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Epigenetics in migraine: the Junior Editorial Board Members' vision
Damiana Scuteri1, Alejandro Labastida-Ramirez2,3, Eloisa Rubio-Beltran4
1Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. damiana.scuteri@unicz.it.
The Journal of Headache and Pain
|December 4, 2025
Summary
Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and microRNAs, influence migraine chronification and treatment response. Understanding these epigenetic mechanisms is key to personalizing migraine therapies and improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Migraine is a leading cause of disability in young females, with many patients experiencing treatment resistance.
- Despite advancements like calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) therapies, 40% of patients remain difficult-to-treat.
- The influence of environmental factors and epigenetic modifications on migraine pathogenesis and treatment response is under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of epigenetic mechanisms in migraine pathophysiology.
- To explore how epigenetic factors contribute to differences in migraine features.
- To analyze the impact of epigenetics on patient response to migraine treatments.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of studies on epigenetic modifications in migraine.
- Searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases.
- Included studies from database inception to October 2nd, 2025.
Main Results:
- DNA methylation alterations are linked to migraine chronification, affecting genes in synaptic plasticity and estrogen receptor signaling.
- Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) show altered expression in migraine and can be modulated by treatments like gepants.
- Epigenetic modifications influence transient receptor potential (TRP) channels (TRPV1, TRPA1) and are implicated in the action of preventative drugs (valproic acid, topiramate) and response to monoclonal antibodies (erenumab).
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic modifications in genes related to CGRP, synaptic plasticity, and TRP channels are crucial in migraine.
- Further research into epigenetics is needed to understand migraine pathophysiology and neuropharmacology.
- Personalized medicine approaches targeting epigenetic mechanisms can improve migraine treatment efficacy and safety.
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