Immunological aspects of migraine

Abstract

The physiopathology of migraine is still largely unknown. The author reviews the changes of immunoglobulins (especially IgE), complement fractions, mediators, cytokines and inflammatory cells published in the literature. An IgE mechanism seems to be unimportant in the process of food-induced migraine. Increasing arguments for the reciprocal modulation of the brain and immune system are also reviewed as the close links between interleukins and the sensory neuromediators. However, it is presently too early to implicate a definite immunological mechanism in the physiopathogeny of migraine.