Vasoactive intestinal peptide causes marked cephalic vasodilation, but does not induce migraine

A. Rahmann, T. Wienecke, J.M. Hansen, J. Fahrenkrug, J. Olesen, M. Ashina

    169 Citationer (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We hypothesized that intravenous infusion of the parasympathetic transmitter, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), might induce migraine attacks in migraineurs. Twelve patients with migraine without aura were allocated to receive 8 pmol kg(-1) min(-1) VIP or placebo in a randomized, double-blind crossover study. Headache was scored on a verbal rating scale (VRS), mean blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (V-mean MCA) was measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, and diameter of the superficial temporal artery (STA) by high-frequency ultrasound. None of the subjects reported a migraine attack after VIP infusion. VIP induced a mild immediate headache (maximum 2 on VRS) compared with placebo (P = 0.005). Three patients reported delayed headache (3-11 h after infusion) after VIP and two after placebo (P = 0.89). V-mean MCA decreased (16.3 +/- 5.9%) and diameter of STA increased significantly after VIP (45.9 +/- 13.9%). VIP mediates a marked dilation of cranial arteries, but does not trigger migraine attacks in migraineurs. These data provide further evidence against a purely vascular origin of migraine
    Udgivelsesdato: 2008/3
    OriginalsprogEngelsk
    TidsskriftCephalalgia
    Vol/bind28
    Udgave nummer3
    Sider (fra-til)226-236
    Antal sider10
    ISSN0333-1024
    StatusUdgivet - 2008

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