Mystery of Migraines Uncovered: Researchers Discover Trigger for Migraine Attacks
Researchers have found a new potential trigger for migraine attacks. Here's what you need to know:
About one in ten people experience migraines, making it one of the most common forms of headaches. In 25% of cases, migraines are accompanied by an aura, which can cause sensory disturbances like flashes of light, double vision, or tingling sensations before the pain starts.
Past research suggests these auras may be triggered by the release of glutamate and potassium, spreading across the brain and temporarily reducing oxygen and blood flow. This results in sensory disruptions. Additionally, small proteins are released into the cerebrospinal fluid, activating pain receptors in sensory nerves outside the brain. However, the exact mechanism was previously unclear.
To investigate this, a team led by Martin Rasmussen at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark conducted experiments on mice with migraines. Using imaging techniques and protein analysis, they examined the molecular processes at play.
The team discovered a new communication pathway between the central nervous system and the body's nerves. Instead of synapses, this pathway uses a nerve hub called the trigeminal ganglion, located at the base of the skull. This hub allows proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid to reach peripheral nerve cells, triggering headaches.
During a migraine, 12 proteins are released into the cerebrospinal fluid. These proteins bind to pain receptors in the trigeminal ganglion (part of the trigeminal nerve), including CGRP (an amino acid), which is already linked to migraines. Interestingly, this process occurs independently on each side of the brain, which may explain why migraines often affect just one side of the head.
Brain scans confirm this mechanism in both mice and humans. The proteins are responsible for the aura and pain of migraines. This discovery opens the door for new medications targeting this pathway, including drugs that inhibit the CGRP protein. Researchers are now focused on developing treatments for patients who don't respond to current therapies.
This pathway could also be relevant for other conditions. Researchers believe they've identified a key communication channel between the brain and the sensory nervous system, which may contribute to other headache disorders. Further studies are planned to explore why migraine pain persists even after the initial protein release subsides.