Neural vs Vascular

There is a dispute whether the vascularly mediated pathophysiologic cascade in migraine aura has a neural origin or otherwise the neural disturbances during the aura phase have a vascular origin.

Imaging Migraine Aura

Diagnostic imaging techniques have revolutionized the practice of medicine. First evidence for a neural origin in migraine came from single-photon emission computed tomography. However, this results was questioned by others. Other imaging techniques, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging, have provided further evidence. [more]

From the Aura to Headache

Functional effects of type 1 familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM1) mutations on neural Cav2.1 channels. © 2003 Macmillan Magazines Ltd. (reproduced from Pietrobon and Striessnig, 2003, by courtesy of Nature Reviews Neuroscience and the authors Daniela Pietrobon and Jörg Striessnig)

It is a central question how the aura phase activates the headache phase. Neurophysiological and molecular mechanisms, and the genetics of migraine are reviewed. [more]

Morphogenesis of Migraine Aura

Based on morphogenesis of the migraine aura one can argue about its cause. Some symptoms, in particular those which propagate, show typical features of self-organization. In this case, basic biophysical laws can predict important biochemical key elements in the mechanism. [more]

References

Pietrobon D, Striessnig J. Neurobiology of migraine. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2003; 4: 386-398.

top