Serotonergic mechanisms in the migraine brain: a systematic review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Serotonergic mechanisms in the migraine brain

T2 - a systematic review

AU - Christensen, Marie Deen

AU - Christensen, Casper Emil

AU - Hougaard, Anders

AU - Hansen, Hanne Demant

AU - Knudsen, Gitte Moos

AU - Ashina, Messoud

PY - 2017/3

Y1 - 2017/3

N2 - Background Migraine is one of the most common and disabling of all medical conditions, affecting 16% of the general population, causing huge socioeconomic costs globally. Current available treatment options are inadequate. Serotonin is a key molecule in the neurobiology of migraine, but the exact role of brain serotonergic mechanisms remains a matter of controversy. Methods We systematically searched PubMed for studies investigating the serotonergic system in the migraine brain by either molecular neuroimaging or electrophysiological methods. Results The literature search resulted in 59 papers, of which 13 were eligible for review. The reviewed papers collectively support the notion that migraine patients have alterations in serotonergic neurotransmission. Most likely, migraine patients have a low cerebral serotonin level between attacks, which elevates during a migraine attack. Conclusion This review suggests that novel methods of investigating the serotonergic system in the migraine brain are warranted. Uncovering the serotonergic mechanisms in migraine pathophysiology could prove useful for the development of future migraine drugs.

AB - Background Migraine is one of the most common and disabling of all medical conditions, affecting 16% of the general population, causing huge socioeconomic costs globally. Current available treatment options are inadequate. Serotonin is a key molecule in the neurobiology of migraine, but the exact role of brain serotonergic mechanisms remains a matter of controversy. Methods We systematically searched PubMed for studies investigating the serotonergic system in the migraine brain by either molecular neuroimaging or electrophysiological methods. Results The literature search resulted in 59 papers, of which 13 were eligible for review. The reviewed papers collectively support the notion that migraine patients have alterations in serotonergic neurotransmission. Most likely, migraine patients have a low cerebral serotonin level between attacks, which elevates during a migraine attack. Conclusion This review suggests that novel methods of investigating the serotonergic system in the migraine brain are warranted. Uncovering the serotonergic mechanisms in migraine pathophysiology could prove useful for the development of future migraine drugs.

KW - Brain

KW - Humans

KW - Migraine Disorders

KW - Serotonin

KW - Journal Article

KW - Review

U2 - 10.1177/0333102416640501

DO - 10.1177/0333102416640501

M3 - Review

C2 - 27013238

SN - 0333-1024

VL - 37

SP - 251

EP - 264

JO - Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache

JF - Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache

IS - 3

ER -