Migraine

…As migraine, a common headache disorder, can be experimentally modeled by triggering cortical spreading depolarizations (CSD) in rodents, it is crucial to understand its impact on network connectivity to find imaging markers for experimental evaluation of headache and trigeminovascular activation. We used wide-field intrinsic optical-signal imaging (IOSI) to investigate the impact of CSDs on bihemispheric RSFI connectivity. Methods: C57BL6-ChR2mice underwen

Migraine is a neurological disorder manifested by throbbing pain, allodynia, as well as light sensitivity (photophobia). Despite continuing research, the pathogenesis of the disease is not precisely understood. Structures implicated in migraine formation, including the trigeminal ganglia and trigeminal nucleus caudalis, exhibit a particularly high expression of Nociceptin Opioid (NOP) receptors. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of selective and non-selective NOP receptor agonists on acute migraine symptoms induced by systemic administration of nitroglicerin (NTG). NTG induces mig

Migraine, a neurological disorder characterized by recurring, intense headaches, disproportionately affects a significant portion of the population, particularly females. While its precise etiology remains elusive, it is thought to have arisen from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. This research endeavors to explore the neurobiological underpinnings of both the sensory and emotional aspects of migraine pain, as well as the associated social impairments. Using the nitroglycerin (NTG) migraine model, which induces vasodilation via systemic administration, we simu

…and pain that are known to trigger migraine. Here we aimed at investigating the possible role of EWcp in migraine neurobiology.RNAscope in situ hybridization (ISH) combined with immunostaining was used to examine the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor component (Crcp) in both mouse and human EWcp and dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). Anterograde and retrograde tracing study investigated the neuroanatomical conn

…to debilitating conditions such as migraine. Moreover, Anti-PACAP and anti-CGRP antibodies have demonstrated clinical efficacy in Phase II and Phase III trials for treatment of migraine, respectively. Due to considerable homology and structural similarities, VIP and PACAP can bind to and signal via the same three functional G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCR), PAC1R, VPAC1R and VPAC2R. CGRP on the othe

Migraine is a pain disorder that affects 10 – 15% of the population worldwide. Even though there is a wide choice of therapeutics that includes different classes of well-tolerated drugs, numerous patients are still not satisfied with their treatment. Trigeminal ganglion and nucleus caudalis are enriched with nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) receptor (NOP)-expressing cells. The general aim of the present study is to investigate the role of the N/OFQ – NOP system in the modulation of migraine. This study evaluated the phenotype of mice with genetically induced knockout of the NOP receptor gene (NO

Migraine is a recurrent headache disorder characterized by episodes of acute pain. The overall objective of this work, was to test the hypothesis that the NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in the pathophysiology of migraine and that NLRP3 blockade may represent a novel strategy for migraine management through the design of novel inhibitors. The phenotype of NLRP3 knockout (NLRP3 KO) mice has been investigated in a mouse model of migraine induced by the i.p. administration of nitroglycerin (NTG). Using the same model, were tested the effects of MCC950, a standard NLRP3 inhibitor able to cross the

…responsive to treatments used to treat migraine or tension-type headache. Ov

Migraine is the third most prevalent disease worldwide and is estimated to affect upwards of 14% of the population. Our lab has used novel preclinical models to identify the delta opioid receptor (DOR) as a therapeutic target for multiple headache disorders, including migraine. We have also investigated the relationship between DOR with the pro-migraine peptide, CGRP. There is regional variation between the co-expression of DOR with CGRP or its receptor in the trigeminal complex. This work indicates that DOR agonists can moderate both CGRP release and signaling, thus regulating pro-migraine ef

…past 20 years trying to shed light on migraine physiopathology, from anatomical and functional MRI to positron emission tomography.

Migraine is much more than an episodic headache. It is a complex brain disorder, characterized by a global dysfunction in multisensory information processing and integration. In a third of patients, the headache is preceded by transient sensory disturbances (aura), whose neurophysiological correlate is cortical spreading depression (CSD). The molecular, cellular and circuit mechanisms of the primary brain dysfunctions that underlie migraine onset, susceptibility to CSD and altered sensory processing remain largely unknown and are major open issues in the neurobiology of migraine. Genetic mouse

This seminar will focus on the extraordinary shift in migraine research during the last 4 decades with the discovery of the trigeminovascular system (TVS) and it’s major impact on pathophysiology and treatment. Compelling evidence supporting the importance of TVS, cortical spreading depression and parameningeal inflammation will be explored as will the implications of newly discovered microvascular channels within the meninges on an attack.

…regarding the preponderance of female migraineurs also remains. I will present views on the reason behind this and suggest that understanding the hormonal influence will pave the way to alleviating hormone related migraine.

…of brain blood flow during attacks of migraine. The results showed changes compatible with cortical spreading depression in migraine without aura effectively negating the then prevailing vasospastic/ischemic theory. In migraine without aura no changes in brain blood flow. This difference was crucial for the separation of migraine with aura and migraine without aura in the first and subsequent editions of the international headache classification headed by me. Then a human migraine provocation model th

…(GEFS+), as well as a severe form of migraine with aura, familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM). More recently, they have been identified in an extremely severe early infantile encephalopathy. Functional studies and animal models have contributed to disclose pathological mechanisms, which can be often linked to a straightforward loss- vs gain- of channel function.