Researchers have identified a novel brain signaling pathway and new pharmacological targets, with the potential to revolutionize migraine treatment.
Approximately one in ten people worldwide suffer from migraines, with roughly one-fourth experiencing auras (sensory disturbances like light flashes, blind spots, and tingling sensations) before the headache. Auras are caused by cortical spreading depression, a temporary neuron depolarization induced by glutamate and potassium diffusion across the brain, leading to reduced oxygen and impaired blood flow.
A previously unknown brain signaling pathway has been discovered that connects certain proteins (including CGRP) released during cortical spreading depression with the trigeminal ganglion, a nerve bundle supplying sensory information to the head and face, activating pain-signaling nerves and potentially causing migraine headaches. The trigeminal ganglion lacks the usual blood-brain barrier, allowing these proteins to interact with the peripheral nervous system.
The discovery of this signaling pathway and the identification of new pharmacological targets, including the twelve proteins found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that can activate sensory nerves, could lead to new preventive treatments and targeted therapies for migraine patients, especially those not responding to current therapies.
Sources: Live Science, Independent, Yahoo, El Imparcial, ABC, ExBulletin, Ecodibergamo, ANSA, Business Telegraph, La Voz de Michoacán, Andalucía Información, Tittle Press, Doctissimo, DD News, Earth.com, Technocodex, ConSalud, LatestLY, ANI News
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
