Migraine and depression: biological aspects

Abstract

There is a considerable overlap in migraine and depression incidence, and both conditions may be associated with low levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). During a migraine attack there is evidence for low levels of platelet 5-HT and possibly also low Vmax for 5-HT uptake; both these findings are also associated with the depressed state. Both conditions can be treated by tricyclic and monoamine oxidase inhibiting antidepressants. However, there are also clear differences: migraine attacks are brief and self limiting. Part of the migraine cascade occurs outside the blood brain barrier, presumably involving blood vessels and, unlike depression, migraine attacks can be ameliorated by drugs which only act peripherally. In addition, migraine patients, especially males, often have permanently low levels of platelet monoamine oxidase activity, whereas patients with unipolar depression tend to have raised levels of this marker. This low enzyme activity may reflect part of the vulnerability to migraine, often associated in the prodromal phase with agitation or hyperactivity. Migraine may form part of a family of brief recurrent self-limiting disorders, which involve disturbances of both mood and monoamines; during the headache phase of the attack, the links with depression are most apparent.