The neurogenic basis of migraine

Abstract

There is accumulating evidence of a neurogenic basis of migraine. This evidence arises from both the clinical and experimental domains. Many of the well known clinical features of migraine attacks including the prodrome are not explained by changes in vascular caliber. Despite the fact that ergotamines and triptans are vasoactive does not provide substantive proof that vasoconstriction is their most important mechanism of action. Several effective treatments for migraine, both old and new, do not affect vascular caliber. Experimental evidence from investigation of both the aura and headache phases of migraine clearly supports a neural basis of migraine. All genes thus far conclusively associated with hemiplegic migraine code for neural proteins.