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Abstract:
Employing optical density methods, platelet aggregation in response to 1.275, 1.7, and 3.4 micrometer adenosine diphosphate was tested in 46 patients with migraine and 46 controls matched by age, sex, and race. The migraine patients demonstrated platelet hyperaggregability when compared with controls, as manifested by a lower threshold for the platelet-release reaction and increased platelet stickiness following aggregation. There was no correlation of platelet hyperaggregability with the severity of migraine or with the occurrence of migraine-associated neurologic symptoms, suggesting that platelet hyperaggregability is a concomitant feature of the migraine syndrome but not dependent on the occurrence of the actual headache. As platelet hyperaggregability may predispose to development of intravascular platelet aggregates or mural thrombi, the hyperaggregability found here may help explain the increased incidence of stroke and heart attack in migraine patients that has been reported elsewhere.
Insights
Migraine patients exhibit heightened platelet activity, a condition known as platelet hyperaggregability. This finding may explain the increased risk of stroke and heart attack in individuals with migraine.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Hematology
Background:
- Migraine is a complex neurological disorder.
- Cardiovascular comorbidities are reported in migraine patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate platelet aggregation in migraine patients.
- To determine if platelet hyperaggregability is linked to migraine severity or associated symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Optical density methods were used to measure platelet aggregation.
- Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) was used as an agonist.
- 46 migraine patients and 46 matched controls were included.
Main Results:
- Migraine patients showed significantly increased platelet aggregation (hyperaggregability) compared to controls.
- A lower threshold for platelet-release reaction and increased platelet stickiness were observed in migraineurs.
- Platelet hyperaggregability did not correlate with migraine severity or neurologic symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Platelet hyperaggregability is a feature of the migraine syndrome, independent of headache occurrence.
- This hyperaggregability may contribute to the elevated risk of stroke and heart attack in migraine patients.