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Cortical Spreading Depression and Migraine

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Abstract

Cortical spreading depression, a slowly propagating wave of transient neuronal and glial depolarization, is widely accepted as the electrophysiologic substrate of migraine aura and a trigger for headache. Recent clinical and experimental evidence reinforces the putative role of cortical spreading depression in migraine pathophysiology. Imaging studies in migraineurs demonstrated hemodynamic changes consistent with cortical spreading depression during aura, whereas recent animal studies helped unravel pathophysiologic aspects such as the triggering mechanisms, genetic and hormonal modulation, and potential therapeutic targets. Here, we provide an overview of recent advances in our understanding of migraine pathophysiology and treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA

    Katharina Eikermann-Haerter & Cenk Ayata

  2. Stroke Service and Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Cenk Ayata

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  1. Katharina Eikermann-Haerter
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Correspondence to Cenk Ayata.

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Eikermann-Haerter, K., Ayata, C. Cortical Spreading Depression and Migraine. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 10, 167–173 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-010-0099-1

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