Abstract

BENAVIDES, David; RODRIGUEZ, Laura Cristina; RESTREPO, Jorge  and  VARGAS B, Daniela. Pathophysiology of migraine: vascular theory, true or not?. Acta Neurol Colomb. [online]. 2015, vol.31, n.1, pp.84-91. ISSN 0120-8748.  https://doi.org/10.22379/2422402213.

Migraine is a highly prevalent disease; it is disabling, and sometimes difficult to manage. For decades, many theories have been proposed to explain its course, its association with a genetic component and with different risk factors. There is currently no single and exact pathophysiology that accounts for all events, and strong evidence has been showing that the oldest theory believed to be mostly true, i.e. the vascular theory, is actually incorrect, because it does not explain the totality of the events. However, various mechanisms have been proven to exist, which together, provide insight into alterations, such as structural changes involving neuropeptides, sensitization, and neurogenic inflammation.

Keywords : Migraine; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; Serotonin (MeSH); Trigeminal System; sensitization; glutamate; neurogenic inflammation; vascular theory.

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