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Riboflavin and migraine: the bridge over troubled mitochondria

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Abstract

Brain energy metabolism has been found to be disturbed in migraine. A mitochondrial defect may reduce the threshold for migraine attacks both increasing neuronal excitability and leading migrainous brain to a hyper-responsiveness to triggering stimuli. Riboflavin, a major co-factor in oxidative metabolism, may overcome this impairment. RCT studies in adult confirmed that riboflavin is safe and probably effective in migraine prophylaxis, based on level B evidence. Improving brain energy metabolism may reduce the susceptibility to migraine when brain energy demand increases due to both physiological and biopsychological factors.

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I certify that there is no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Headache Unit, Department of Neurology, San Raffaele Hospital, University Vita-Salute, Via Olgettina 48, 20132, Milan, Italy

    Bruno Colombo, Lorenzo Saraceno & Giancarlo Comi

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  1. Bruno Colombo
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  2. Lorenzo Saraceno
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  3. Giancarlo Comi
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Correspondence to Bruno Colombo.

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Colombo, B., Saraceno, L. & Comi, G. Riboflavin and migraine: the bridge over troubled mitochondria. Neurol Sci 35 (Suppl 1), 141–144 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-014-1755-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-014-1755-z

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