Published in:
01-05-2014 | SESSION IV UNCONVENTIONAL TREATMENTS
Riboflavin and migraine: the bridge over troubled mitochondria
Authors:
Bruno Colombo, Lorenzo Saraceno, Giancarlo Comi
Published in:
Neurological Sciences
|
Special Issue 1/2014
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Abstract
Brain energy metabolism has been found to be disturbed in migraine. A mitochondrial defect may reduce the threshold for migraine attacks both increasing neuronal excitability and leading migrainous brain to a hyper-responsiveness to triggering stimuli. Riboflavin, a major co-factor in oxidative metabolism, may overcome this impairment. RCT studies in adult confirmed that riboflavin is safe and probably effective in migraine prophylaxis, based on level B evidence. Improving brain energy metabolism may reduce the susceptibility to migraine when brain energy demand increases due to both physiological and biopsychological factors.