Tagged As: Cause Of Migraine Headache
Question:
I am curious if the cause of a migraine headache is one of vascular constriction or vascular dialation. If someone could explain the how the migraine progression works, I would be appreciative...Thanks!
Answer:
Turns out to be more complicated than that. While both vasodilitation and vasoconstriction occur, probably neither causes the migraine. Decreasing serotonergic activity in certain brainstem nuclei may initiate an attack. Activation of the trigeminothalamic system lowers pain thresholds and causes neurogenic edema in arterial walls which make them more pain-sensitive. The focal neurologic manifestations of migraine such as visual scotomata are probably not to be due to ischemia as was once thought. Rather, the initial cortical event seems to be spreading inhibition via these same brainstem areas, with the decreased cerebral perfusion a consequence of reduced metabolic demand. Headache pain starts during the vasoconstrictive phase and lasts into the vasodilitation phase, arguing against the idea that it is a change in vessel caliber per se that causes the pain.
Add to favorites