Studies conducted at University of Copenhagen on headache and migraine recently published

Return to Pain/CNS Alert Section

March 9th, 2009

   2009 MAR 9 -- According to a study from Copenhagen, Denmark, "Experimental studies have shown that infusion of vasoactive neurotransmitters may trigger headache or migraine-like attacks in man. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide-38 (PACAP38) is a strong vasodilator found in trigeminal sensory and parasympathetic perivascular nerve fibers."

   "We therefore hypothesized that infusion of PACAP38 would cause headache in healthy subjects and migraine-like attacks in migraine patients. Twelve healthy subjects and 12 migraine patients were examined in two separate studies. All subjects were allocated to receive 10 pmol/kg/min PACAP38 and placebo in a randomized, double-blind crossover study design. Headache was scored on a verbal rating scale (VRS) during hospital (02 h) and post-hospital (212 h) phases. Mean blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (V-MCA) by transcranial Doppler (TCD) and diameter of the superficial temporal artery (STA) by high resolution ultrasonography were recorded during hospital phase in migraineurs. PACAP38 infusion caused headache in all healthy subjects and 11 out of 12 migraine patients. Seven migraine patients experienced migraine-like attacks after PACAP38 and none after placebo (P 0.016). Most of attacks (6 out of 7) occurred during the post-hospital phase [mean time 6 h (range 211)]. Two healthy subjects reported migraine-like attacks after PACAP38 during the hospital phase and none during the post-hospital phase. In the hospital phase, the area under the curve (AUC) for headache score was larger during PACAP38 infusion compared to placebo in healthy subjects (P 0.005) and tended to be larger in migraineurs (P 0.066). In the post-hospital phase, the AUC for headache was larger after PACAP38 infusion compared to placebo in both healthy subjects (P 0.005) and migraine patients (P 0.013). In migraine patients, PACAP38 caused a peak decrease of 16.1 in V-MCA and a 37.5 increase in STA diameter at 20 min after start of infusion," wrote H.W. Schytz and colleagues, University of Copenhagen.

   The researchers concluded: "PACAP38 infusion caused headache and vasodilatation in both healthy subjects and migraine patients. In migraine sufferers, PACAP38 caused delayed migraine-like attacks. The findings stimulate further investigation of the neuronal and vascular mechanisms of PACAP38."

   Schytz and colleagues published the results of their research in Brain (PACAP38 induces migraine-like attacks in patients with migraine without aura. Brain, 2009;132(Part 1):16-25).

   For additional information, contact H.W. Schytz, University of Copenhagen, Faculty Health Science, Glostrup Hospital, Danish Headache Center, DK-2600 Copenhagen, Denmark.

   The publisher of the journal Brain can be contacted at: Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon St., Oxford OX2 6DP, England.

   Keywords: Denmark, Copenhagen, Headache and Migraine, Angiology, Critical Care Medicine, Cyclase, Enzyme Research, Headache, Middle Cerebral Artery, Migraine, Migraine without Aura, Neurology, Superficial Temporal Artery, University of Copenhagen.

   This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.

Return to Pain/CNS Alert Section