Advances in understanding the pathophysiology of headache.

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that migraine may not be due to vasoconstriction followed by reactive vasodilation, and tension-type headache may not be due to excess muscle contraction. The prodromes of migraine may have a hypothalamic origin, and the aura and changes in cognition may have a cortical neuronal origin. The pain of migraine and tension-type headache may be generated centrally or enhanced or generated by neurogenic inflammation. Drugs used to treat headache frequently interact with serotonin receptor subtypes: abortive drugs at the 5-HT1 receptor and preventive drugs at the 5-HT2 receptor.

• Authors: S D Silberstein
• Journal: Neurology (Neurology) Vol. 42 Issue 3 Suppl 2 Pg. 6-10 (Mar 1992) ISSN: 0028-3878 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1557193 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Serotonin

Topics

• Headache (physiopathology)
• Humans
• Migraine Disorders (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Serotonin (physiology)
• Vascular Headaches (physiopathology)