Migraine is a common and debilitating
headache disorder. Although its pathogenesis remains elusive, abnormal trigeminal and central nervous system activity is likely to play an important role. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, which transduce noxious stimuli into
pain signals, are expressed in trigeminal ganglion neurons and brain regions closely associated with the pathophysiology of
migraine. In the trigeminal ganglion, TRP channels co-localize with
calcitonin gene-related peptide, a
neuropeptide crucially implicated in
migraine pathophysiology. Many preclinical and clinical data support the roles of TRP channels in
migraine. In particular, activation of
TRP cation channel V1 has been shown to regulate
calcitonin gene-related peptide release from trigeminal nerves. Intriguingly, several effective anti-
migraine therapies, including
botulinum neurotoxin type A, affect the functions of
TRP cation channels. Here, we discuss currently available data regarding the roles of major
TRP cation channels in the pathophysiology of
migraine and the therapeutic applicability thereof.