Mutant P/Q-type calcium channel electrophysiology and migraine.

Abstract

The pathophysiological mechanisms of migraine are not yet very well understood. The gene CACNA1A, coding for the alpha 1A subunit of neuronal P/Q-type Ca2+ channels is mutated in the rare Mendelian inherited variant, familial hemiplegic migraine. This finding suggests a role for disturbed neuronal Ca2+ influx and/or homeostasis in the pathophysiology of migraine. It has stimulated in vitro electrophysiological investigations into the function of mutant human and mouse P/Q-type channels at cell bodies and synapses. A complex picture has emerged from this work, showing that different CACNA1A mutations lead to different effects on Ca2+ channel behavior and that synaptic transmission may become affected. We will review these studies and discuss the possible implications for the understanding of migraine pathophysiology.

• Authors: J J Plomp, A M van den Maagdenberg, P C Molenaar, R R Frants, M D Ferrari
• Journal: Current opinion in investigational drugs (London, England : 2000) (Curr Opin Investig Drugs) Vol. 2 Issue 9 Pg. 1250-60 (Sep 2001) ISSN: 1472-4472 [Print] England
• PMID: 11717812 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Calcium Channels, P-Type
• Calcium Channels, Q-Type

Topics

• Animals
• Calcium Channels, P-Type (genetics, physiology)
• Calcium Channels, Q-Type (genetics, physiology)
• Electrophysiology
• Hemiplegia (etiology, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Mice
• Migraine Disorders (genetics, physiopathology)
• Mutation (genetics)
• Synapses (physiology)