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A putative 5-HT central feedback in migraine and cluster headache attacks
Advances in Neurology
|January 1, 1982
Summary
Serotonin (5-HT) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) increase during migraine and cluster headache attacks, suggesting a central feedback mechanism is involved in headache pain generation. Peripheral serotonin effects are unlikely to cause this pain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Serotonin (5-HT) is implicated in migraine pathophysiology.
- A decrease in midbrain 5-HT during migraine attacks has been hypothesized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Tryptophan (TP) and plasma/platelet 5-HT levels in patients with migraine and cluster headaches.
- To compare these levels with neurological and carcinoid patients, respectively.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous loading with L-Tryptophan (l-TP).
- Measurement of free and total TP.
- Assay of CSF TP, plasma 5-HT, and platelet 5-HT levels.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in TP time course after l-TP loading.
- Elevated CSF TP levels observed during migraine and cluster headache attacks.
- Markedly increased plasma 5-HT levels exclusively in carcinoid patients.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest a positive central 5-HT feedback mechanism during migraine and cluster headache attacks.
- Excludes peripheral 5-HT effects as the cause of pain in these headache disorders.