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Immunological aspects of migraine
1Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Louis-Mourier, Colombes, France.
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie
|January 1, 1996
Summary
The exact causes of migraine remain unclear, though research suggests immune system involvement. Current evidence does not strongly support immunoglobulin E as a key factor in food-triggered migraine.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Immunology
- Neurology
Background:
- The physiopathology of migraine is not fully understood.
- The role of the immune system in migraine is an area of active research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature on immunological changes associated with migraine.
- To evaluate the potential role of immune mechanisms in migraine pathogenesis, particularly food-induced migraine.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies examining immunoglobulins (IgE), complement fractions, mediators, cytokines, and inflammatory cells in migraine patients.
- Analysis of evidence for brain-immune system interactions and the role of interleukins and sensory neuromediators.
Main Results:
- Immunoglobulin E (IgE) mechanisms appear unimportant in food-induced migraine.
- Growing evidence supports bidirectional communication between the brain and immune system.
- Close links exist between interleukins and sensory neuromediators.
Conclusions:
- While immune system modulation is increasingly implicated in migraine, a definitive immunological mechanism remains elusive.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the immunological underpinnings of migraine physiopathology.