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BMC Medicine
Published in: BMC Medicine 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Minireview

Migraine pathogenesis and state of pharmacological treatment options

Authors: Till Sprenger, Peter J Goadsby

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Migraine is a largely inherited disorder of the brain characterized by a complex, but stereotypical, dysfunction of sensory processing. Often the most obvious clinical symptom is head pain, but non-headache symptoms such as photophobia, phonophobia and nausea are clearly part of the typical presentation. This review discusses the current pathophysiological concepts of migraine and migraine aura, such as a possible brainstem dysfunction and cortical spreading depression. Acute and preventive migraine treatment approaches are briefly covered with a focus on shortcomings of the currently available treatment options. A number of different receptors, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), TRPV1 and glutamate receptors, are currently being targeted by potential novel migraine therapeutics. The prospects of this research are exciting and are likely to improve patient care.
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Metadata
Title
Migraine pathogenesis and state of pharmacological treatment options
Authors
Till Sprenger
Peter J Goadsby
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-7-71

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