MIGRAINE
Migraine is a nerve and vascular disease characterized by throbbing and severe headache, often unilateral. Attacks are usually associated with nausea, vomiting or light, sound, sensitivity to movement.[1] Primary headaches are headaches that are not associated with the central nervous system and other systemic diseases. Migraine falls into primary headache class according to the ICHD-3 classification of the International Headache Society. Chronic migraine is defined as headache for more than 15 days per month, with at least 8 days of migraine; migraine is defined as headache lasting more than 72 hours.[2]
About 15% of the world's population has migraine. It affects 12% of adults, 18% of women, and 6% of men in Western countries. With the negative impact on the patient's quality of life, it causes a tremendous socio- economic burden on society. Although not all stages are seen in each patient, there are four different stages according to clinical characteristics: early warning, migraine aura, headache phase and post- attack phase. One-third of the patients experience a migraine attack called “aura” before the onset of migraine headaches, such as flashing light and bad smells in the visual field.[3]
In migraine headaches with or without aura, first activation and then sensitization of the trigeminal and upper cervical nerves occur, giving the migraine headache a characteristic throbbing. Migraine without aura in women is also associated with menstruation. Menstruation is a triggering factor. 80-85% of migraine headaches are migraine without aura and 15-20% are migraine with aura.[2]
Pathophysiology of Migraine
With the information obtained in recent years, neurovascular theory has been adopted instead of vascular theory in the pathophysiology of migraine. Vascular theory suggests that migraine symptoms occur with vasodilation in the skull whereas neurovascular theory suggests that vascular changes are seen secondary to neuronal activation in migraine headaches. As a result of neural events, blood vessels in pain-sensitive structures expand and cause trigeminal nerve activation and pain.[4] PET and functional MRI studies have shown that brainstem is activated during migraine attacks.[5] Current hypotheses associate primary dysfunction with brainstem centers that regulate vascular tension and sense of pain. The blood vessels and cerebrospinal membranes in the skull, particularly pain-sensitive structures such as the dura mater, are fed by the ophthalmic branch of the first branch of the trigeminal nerve with sensory nerve fibers. A signal is transmitted from neurons in the trigeminal nucleus of the brain stem resulting in pain experience.[6]
Peptide and Calcitonin gene-Related Peptide (CgRP) Receptors Associated With the Calcitonin gene Calcitonin gene-related peptide is a neurotransmitter consisting of 37 amino acids produced in numerous sites along peripheral sensory neurons and throughout the central nervous system. It was first described in 1983 in rats.[3,7] Electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion in both humans and cats results in an increase in blood flow outside the brain and release of both the CGRP and substance P.[8] The release of neuropeptides such as CGRP, substance P, into the peripheral vascular site leads to vasodilation, increased blood flow, and neurogenic inflammation This vascular dilation and edema lead to more stimulation of the perivascular trigeminal axons and more pain.[4]
All CGRP-targeted therapies tested for migraine treatment to date have produced positive results.[9] CGRP receptor antagonists provide relief in an acute headache attack, with or without aura. Monoclonal antibodies to CGRP or its receptor are effective for preventing occasional or chronic migraine.[7]
Studies on the peptide receptor antagonists olcegepant and telcagepant associated with the calcitonin gene emerged at the beginning of the 21st century. Information from animal studies has shown that olcegepant can suppress the stimulating effects of CGRP on intact blood vessels. However, it has been found that injecting olcegepant intravenously into healthy volunteers does not cause significant systemic or blood flow changes in the brain.[10]
Findings from pharmacological studies have shown that telcagepant is a highly potent antagonist of the CGRP receptor, thus having a good efficacy in the treatment of migraine.[11] Despite positive clinical data supporting the use of telcagepant in the acute treatment of migraine, significant increases in liver enzymes were observed in patients receiving telcapant twice daily for three months.[11] Triptans, another class of drugs used in the treatment of migraine, inhibit presynaptic serotonin receptors CGRP release. These receptors are targets of triptans. However, some patients experience side effects such as dizziness and cardiovascular disease.[12]
In conclusion, peptide receptor antagonists associated with the calcitonin gene are effective and well tolerated therapies; however, long-term high- dose medication may lead to impaired liver function in some patients, requiring further investigation.[13]