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Central mechanism of action of antimigraine prophylactic drugs

  • Current Reality in Headache Treatments
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Abstract

The pathogenesis of migraine is obscure. A hyperexcitable brain state has been postulated. Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is the most suggestive argument for the brain hyperexcitability. It has been showed that valproate, topiramate, amitriptyline and propranolol inhibit CSD in rats, which suggests that most preventative treatments of migraine act by normalising neuronal firing and increasing a genetically lowered and environmentally modified threshold for neuronal discharge. It has also been suggested that some antimigraine prophylactic drugs (i.e., amitriptyline, candesartan and magnesium) may act by restoring central nociceptive dysmodulation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Casa di Cura S. Francesco, Viale Europa 21, 82036, Telese Terme (BN), Italy

    Gerardo Casucci

  2. Neurology Unit, S. Andrea Hospital “La Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy

    Veronica Villani

  3. Neurological Department and Headache Center, Policlinico “S. Pietro”, Ponte San Pietro (BG), Italy

    Fabio Frediani

Authors
  1. Gerardo Casucci
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  2. Veronica Villani
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  3. Fabio Frediani
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Correspondence to Gerardo Casucci.

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Casucci, G., Villani, V. & Frediani, F. Central mechanism of action of antimigraine prophylactic drugs. Neurol Sci 29 (Suppl 1), 123–126 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-008-0902-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-008-0902-9

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