Review article

Migraine – pathophysiology of pain

Vlasta Vuković orcid.org/0000-0003-4963-4541 ; Department of neurology, University hospital Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
Maja Strineka
Arijana Lovrenčić-Huzjan
Vida Demarin

Abstract

Migraine is a primary episodic headache disorder characterized by a cascade of events that involve various combinations of neurologic, gastrointestinal and autonomic changes. Headache is probably caused by activation of meningeal and blood vessel nociceptors combined with an alteration in central pain modulation. Headache and its associated neuro-vascular changes are subserved by the trigeminal system. A link also exists between the migraine aura and headache. Cortical spreading depression (CSD) activates trigeminovascular afferents, causing a long-lasting increase in middle meningeal arterial blood flow and polypeptide release within the dura mater. The neuropeptides interact with the blood vessel wall, producing dilatation, plasma protein extravasation, and platelet activation. Neurogenic inflammation sensitizes nerve fibers (peripheral sensitization) that now respond to previously innocuous st imuli, such as blood vessel pulsations, causing, in part, the pain of migraine.

Keywords

migraine; pathophysiology; pain

Hrčak ID:

42379

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/42379

Publication date:

20.10.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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