I have done some pretty stupid stunts in my life. I have jumped out of moving vehicles at 30 mph, I have broken toes while playing volleyball and continued playing barefoot, I have dislocated a pinky and popped it back in, I have had multiple concussions, I have grabbed electric fences, I have stabbed my foot with a fork, I have jumped off a barn, I had swine flu, in short I had quite the interesting teenage years.
It is with all of this qualification that I can rightfully say none of these things hurts nearly as bad as having a migraine. This is an ailment that makes even light hurt terribly. This is the sort of pain that forces you to lie in bed for days, only to arise so that you can puke. This is not the sort of pain that one can just simply “tough it up and work through,” it is completely debilitating. Because of this, it is easy to see that this would be a heavily researched area of science.
Our paper discussed that migraines are likely caused by vasodilation in the brain. This means that the blood vessels that supply blood flow to the brain are carrying more blood than they normally do. This is caused by, and conversely causes a multitude of reasons/symptoms.
This vasodilation can sometimes cause something called an Aura. An Aura is commonly experienced as a visual disturbance. Imagine staring into the sun for a couple minutes and then trying to look somewhere else, that is essentially what an aura looks like. Auras do not have to be visual however, they can be associated with hearing, smell and deja vu or jamais vu. These auras, in whatever form they come, usually arrive minutes to hours before a migraine attack begins. They are your body’s little pleasant reminders that you are about to be destroyed from pain radiating behind your eyes.
There is not currently any “cure” for migraines. However, many medicines can help alleviate the symptoms. Hopefully, research in the future will lead to a powerful and robust treatment for this detrimental illness.
Migraines: I Wouldn't Wish Them On My Worst Enemy
Migraines are a debilitating illness that can stop the sufferer in its tracks. Unlike other diseases we have talked about thus far in my Neurochemistry class, this is one that I can relate to directly because I suffer from them. It is hard to explain the intense pains and sensations that come with my migraines to other people. In my case, my migraines come on about once every month and leave me helpless for hours at a time. The pain is so severe that sleep doesn’t even come to relieve me. I wouldn’t wish them on my worst enemy.
It is hard to explain ones migraines to other people that have them as well because everyone experiences them differently. People have different symptoms, different things triggering their migraines and the duration of their migraines are not the same. It is these factors that are making the life of scientists that are trying to research migraines difficult along with the fact that they don’t have effective laboratory markers nor animal models to be able to study them extensively. What we do know though is common symptoms of migraines include sensitivity to light and noise, nausea, vomiting and throbbing pain in the head. These painful headaches usually happen to those between the ages of 20 and 50 years old and as of yet there is no official cure for them.
Science does not know exactly what causes migraines but have some insight into them. What they think occurs during a migraine attack is the vasodilation of cerebral blood vessels. It is theorized that this vasodilation occurs in response to the release of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptides (CGRPs), ultimately affecting the trigeminal nerve. CGRPs are produced in the peripheral and central nerves and results from alternative splicing of the calcitonin gene. It has been found that along with CGRPs, other molecules such as serotonin, bradykinin, histamine, and prostaglandin are thought to affect sensory neurons around the trigeminal nerve, causing pain. The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve. It is full of sensory neurons and its job is to transmit sensations from the face to the brain. As the name indicates, there are three branches to this nerve and they are the ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular. The ophthalmic provides sensory innervation to the forehead, upper eyelid, cornea, bridge and tip of nose, the nasal cavity and the front half of the scalp. The maxillary provides sensory innervation to the cheeks, lateral nose, upper lip, upper jaw, the teeth and upper oral cavity. Lastly the mandibular provides sensation to the lower teeth, lower jaw, lower oral cavity and lower face. It is the ophthalmic nerve that researchers believe is the most affected during migraine attacks due to its location being where the largest amount of pain is felt in the majority of these attacks.
As I said before there is not that much that is known about migraines as a whole besides theories and thoughts as to what causes them. There are been research looking into the genetic components but unfortunately there has been nothing found that links migraines together besides those that have familial hemiplegic migraines (FHMs). FHMs are a form of migraine headache that is an autosomal dominant trait that runs in families. The gene mutations that are associated with FHM are CACNA1A (FHM1), ATP1A2 (FHM2) and SCN1A (FHM3). All three of these genes encode for ion channels or an ion pump, suggesting that there is a loss in the balance of ions that could be disrupting the normal release of neurotransmitters in the brain. It is important to reiterate though that FHM is the ONLY type of migraine that has a genetic link that has been found. Researchers are hoping that a better understanding of FHM could lead to a better understanding of common migraines as a whole.
Migraines are crippling to experience and I would not wish them onto anybody. Though there are medications out there that lesson the intensity of migraines once they have already started as well as hopefully prevent them, there is no known treatment that completely cures them. According to the Migraine Research Association over 10% of the US population is affected by migraines. With its high rate of prevalence, and selfishly for my own sake, I hope that further research will be able to someday yield concrete information on this extremely painful illness. Migraines are extremely traumatic and the less one has to suffer from them, the better.
Picture Found At: http://teachmeanatomy.info/wp-content/uploads/Overview-of-the-Anatomical-Distribution-of-the-Trigeminal-Nerve-and-its-Terminal-Branches.png
Additional Resource: http://www.migraineresearchfoundation.org/fact-sheet.html
Migraines and the Hope for a Cure
Like a blurry dream in the back of my mind, the thought of my first ever migraine lingers. I had just finished the longest run of my cross country career on a bright, blue-skied Saturday morning. Feeling abnormally tired, as to be expected, I headed home from the park where I began and ended my run. Upon arrival at home I ate my breakfast like usual, slowly sinking into what would be the worst headache of my life. Not much later I began to feel warm, tired, and complacent. In short time. My vision would start to go blurry, especially in my peripherals. It appeared as though fans were spinning all around me, fading my vision and destroying my depth perception. And then came the debilitating pain: the thumping when I was laying still, and sharp sting when I tried to move. Not knowing what was going on, I went to the clinic after only a couple hours, which had felt like days.
Migraines are a rather common problem in the United States, affecting over ten percent of the entire population. Yet although so common, very little is understood about the causes of migraines. The most recent research suggests that migraines are the result of various genetic changes in the brain affecting ion channels, in addition to some environmental factors. However, possibly the best hypothesis we have now is that pain results from migraines due to abnormal levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide released from vasculature in the brain. One of the main players in the migraine story is the trigeminal nerve, one of the cranial nerves that supplies a large portion of the face. The trigeminal nerve has been shown to have receptors for calcitonin gene-related peptide, and when they are blocked pain from migraines dissipates. It has also been shown that triptans, molecules that bind to 5-HT receptors in the brain, help relieve migraine symptoms and normalize the levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide. As a result, 5-HT receptor agonists, as well as calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists, are being used as possible drug approaches for migraine treatment.
Fortunately for me, my migraine subsided after rehydration and some rest suggested by the doctor. Only one time since have I experienced the migraine-like symptoms that tore me to pieces that Saturday morning a few years ago. Although much more work is needed, I am hopeful that a solid, standard treatment for migraines is on the horizon, as new research slowly solves this neurological mystery. Using our most recent discoveries, we can put an end to this problem that affects so many.
Migraines and the Bad Case of Vasodilation
As someone who has been fortunate to never have experienced a migraine, it can be difficult to understand what makes them so brutal. Migraines are more than just your typical headache. They include extremely-painful throbbing of the head, vomiting, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. They can be so severe that they are actually debilitating and can last for hours to days. It can prevent a person from attending work or school. Some people affected by migraines even experience auras before the full onset of the migraine. Auras can include flashes of light, blind spots, tunnel vison, tingling of the limbs, or even hearing sounds. Migraines themselves are difficult to treat and understand because they affect each person differently. In addition, unlike many other diseases and disorders of the brain, migraines come and go. They are not a “constant thing” that can be studied easily.
Vasodilation seems to be the main component behind the pain associated with migraines. Neuropeptides – in particular CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) – are released from nerves and cause vasodilation of blood vessels in the cranium. When these blood vessels dilate, it activates the sensory neurons in that same area. It is the activation of the sensory nerves that cause the severe pain. In the head, the main sensory nerve affected with migraines is the trigeminal nerve, one of the twelve cranial nerves. This nerve has three main branches – the ophthalmic branch, the maxillary branch, and the mandibular branch. The trigeminal ganglion, which houses the cell bodies of the neurons that make up the trigeminal nerve, is the main source of CGRP in the trigeminal system. What is actually causing this release of CGRP and the migraine in the first place remains unknown, however. More research is necessary to help determine the cause so we can figure out the best way to prevent and treat migraines.
How, then, are migraines treated right now? Pharmacologically, drugs can be administered to help prevent migraines and help the migraines subside. Triptans are used to treat migraines already in progress and work by acting on serotonin receptors. The drugs are agonists of the receptor and reduce inflammation and cause vasoconstriction of the blood vessels, as well as reduce release of CGRP. Another type of drug, called gepants, can be used to prevent migraines. These drugs work by being an antagonist of the CGRP receptor. Although these drugs are helpful in treatment of migraines, they sometimes can be extremely expensive, limiting who is able to afford them or willing to pay a great deal for them.
It is important that we continue research and put more emphasis on migraines because they can be so debilitating. 12% of the US population suffers from migraines and the pain, vomiting, and sensitivity that is associated with them. It is more difficult to treat migraines, since they are a come-and-go-type disorder, but that does not mean we should put less into research about them. For some, living a life with severe migraines eliminates their ability to go to school, work, or take care of a family. They are confined to a dark, quiet room in hopes that the pain will go away. For those people, developing a better way to treat migraines – or even prevent them – is not only important, but essential.
The Headache That is a Migrane
We’ve all have had headaches, but most of his haven’t experienced the excruciating pain of a migraine. Some of the typical symptoms of a migraine include throbbing pain in head, nausea, vomiting, diharrhea, and pain behind one eye. The progession of migranes are broken into four stages (prodrome, aura, attack, postdrome)
There is no known cause of migraines, only theories. There are suggestions of ion channel dysfunction. The most popular idea that researchers propose is that migraines are the results of vasodilation of the extracranial arteries. This dilation can cause inflammation that triggers pain receptors on the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve. It is broken into three branches. The first is the ophthalmic branch that supplies sensory innervation to forehead, front half of scalp, upper eyelid, cornea, bridge and tip of nose, and nasal cavity. The second branch is the maxillary branch that supplies sensory innervation to cheeks, lateral nose, upper lip, upper jaw, teeth, and upper oral cavity. The third branch is the mandibular branch, which provides sensory to lower teeth, lower jaw, lower oral cavity, lower face. This nerve also provides sensory to parotid gland, anterior 2/3 of tongue, and motor to muscles of mastication. If the trigeminal pain receptors are activated in a migraine, this explain the unilateral pain across the forehead that many experience.
Right now, doctors are treating migraines with three different types of medication. They include triptans, gepants, and glutamate agonists. Triptans are in the family of tryptamine based molecules. They are preventative and only treat a single migraine at a time. They cause constriction of blood vessels and inhibit some of the pro-inflammatory responses. Gepants are CGRP-agonists. The final drug type is glutamate antagonists. These inhibit AMPA and L-type receptors. This causes cells to depolarize slower.
We need to continue our research into the causes of migraines and drug treatments, because many people have migraines. This neurological disease causes a lot of pain, and can disrupt their everyday life. Through this research, we could even find more effective ways to treat normal headaches.
Resources:
https://moodle.cord.edu/pluginfile.php/390952/mod_resource/content/4/pathophysiology%20of%20migraine.pdf
http://neurochemistry2014.pbworks.com/w/page/89149016/Basic%20mechanisms%20of%20migraine%20and%20its%20acute%20treatment
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migraine
http://debbieupton.com/products-page/migraine-symptoms/
Who knew vasodilation could be such a pain?
Have you ever heard the lie that the brain can’t feel pain? Try telling that to someone with chronic migraines. Okay… well… it is only kind of a lie. It is true that the actual tissue of the brain cannot sense pain (i.e. it has no nociception), but the blood vessels of the brain can indeed sense pain and are not afraid to activate those pain receptors (nociceptors) at the first sign of blood vessel expansion (vasodilation).
Migraines are defined as recurring one-sided headaches accompanied by vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. These pains in the head are due largely to vasodilation and inflammatory responses of the blood vessels that supply the brain with blood. This vasodilation can be caused by the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” part of the nervous system) and some of the chemicals it releases including NO, VIP and ACh. Another nerve called the trigeminal nerve also plays a huge role in migraines. It can release CGRP which is a chemical highly linked to vasodilation and inflammation and the induction of migraines.
While there is still much we do not know about migraines, anyone who has ever had one can tell you that more research should be done to find treatments for these excruciating events. As of yet, there are three main treatments for migraines: triptans, which activate serotonin receptors to constrict the vessels; gepants, which block CGRP receptors to counter vasodilation; and glutamate antagonists, which inhibit glutamate receptors. Also, botox can be used as a treatment for migraines.
Migraines are a complex and individualized disease with many possible processes of origin and a vast array of symptoms and recurrence. They are a hard neurological disorder to peg down and need to be researched much more in depth before treatments and even prevention can become as effective as possible.
Migraines: It Really is All in Your Head
This week’s article is more of a common occurrence than most of the others. It is something I have had described, but have not experienced personally. I have been told the pain is so excruciating and sensitivity to sights or sounds are heightened. An individual might form an aura for the duration of the attack, manifesting as a bright light, scent, or hallucination. About 1 in 4 households have someone with this neurological disease; the primary age group are those between the ages of 20 and 50. The World Health Organization ranks this as one of the top 20 most disabling illnesses. If you haven’t guessed already – the topic for this week is migraine.
Migraines are a disorder in the brain involving the vasculature of the CNS. The current understanding for the pathophysiology of a migraine is still a conjecture and requires more research to gain a better understanding. The big players in this pathway include the trigeminal nerve, the Middle Meningeal Artery (MMA) and other cerebral arteries, and the brainstem and cortex of the CNS. The trigeminal nerve is a cranial nerve responsible for receiving sensory signals from the face. The nerve is divided into three branches. One branch specifically, the opthalmic, innervate the upper areas of the skull associated with migraine pain such as the temple and forehead. Activation of the trigeminal nerve leads to the release of neurotransmitter calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and Neuropeptide Y (NPY) – two proinflammatory molecules. CGRP is a major presence in trigeminal system and is thought to initiate vasodilation of cranial vessels such as MMA. A resulting sensory signal is sent to the brainstem and the cortex for perception of the pain.
Several medications exist which attempt to decrease the nociception and the vasodilation which occur during a migraine. These include triptans, gepants, and glutamate inhibitors. Triptans target 5-HT, a serotonin receptor on cranial blood vessels. Triptan is a 5-HT agonist which increases vasodilation, and inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory molecules such as CGRP. Gepants are CGRP antagonists which act by decreasing vasoconstriction. Lastly, glutamate receptors target the neurons involved in the pathway. Tropiramate is one antagonist which decreases the activation of neurons by decreasing intracellular calcium levels. Low calcium levels does not allow a neuron to depolarize and to continue the signal. The drugs developed attempt to alleviate the pain and vasoconstriction of a person with migraines, but many side effects lead to individuals opting not to take the medications.
Research on migraines has tried to explain the contributing factors of migraines. As is the case with all of the neurological diseases, there is still a need for more research and a better understanding of the mechanisms. The current knowledge is used in the drug therapies for migraines, but there is room for improvement. Individuals with acute migraines may be able to tough it out, but a better quality of life could be obtained for those with chronic migraines with more sound research.
My Capstone Experience – BREWing Made Easy
Concordia College is a liberal arts college that focuses its mission on sending responsibly engaged individuals into the world, otherwise known as BREW. All of Concordia’s classes center around the idea of BREW, but it is the Capstone Courses that highlight and amplify the true meaning behind BREW. Along with BREW, Concordia’s goals for its liberal arts education include instilling a love for learning, developing foundational skills and transferable intellectual capacities, and understanding disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and intercultural perspectives and their connections, and cultivating an examined cultural, ethical, physical and spiritual self-understanding.
Unlike other classes, the Neurochemistry Capstone offers a chance for students to be co-investigators into the papers and topics that are explored. For many, it is really the first time that they are put onto the same level as the professor to come up with explanations, solutions, and future possibilities for the topics at hand. The class is discussion based and provides a chance for students to discuss the material, ethical matters, and possible solutions behind each topic. Many times the topics are somewhat new to the professor as well, meaning that the professor is learning along side the students, unlike most other classes. The structure of the class starts out with the first day discussing the paper and making a list of what materials need a little more understanding. Each student then is assigned one of these topics that they will then present to each other during the next class day, which we call “Speed dating”. Speed dating is the chance for students to really teach one another about the topic that they have chosen to research and it allows students to interact one on one and explore the details of each topic. The third class day of the week is discussion day. Discussion leaders are selected each week and our class is split up into two groups. These discussions look into everything from what we have learned throughout the week to pending questions. Our discussions reach everywhere from possible treatments to ethics. Finally, each of us write a blog in response to the topic covered that week.
As an ACS Neurochemistry and Biology double major, I was excited to see how I could take what I had learned in my other classes to explain neurodegenerative diseases that are affecting millions of people around the world. I was not sure what to expect when we started classes this fall. I had never experienced a class that was laid out in the same format as this class. However, I believe that the structure of the class allowed for the best possible learning experience for the topics and papers that were covered throughout the semester. This class is able to challenge students into looking at the big picture of the central nervous system disorders and hypothesize possible prevention and treatments for them. Not only do you learn about a particular disease, but you also explore its unknown charters. We also look at other factors that affect the chances of a person being diagnosed with certain diseases such as gender, ethnicity, age, and so forth.
We learned everything from mechanisms and pathways for particular proteins and diseases, to drug protocol, and politics. However, probably the most important thing that I have learned and will take with me from my travel through Neurochemistry is the importance of regulation and balance. Many of the diseases and disorders that we looked at all had some type of background affect of something being out of balance and causing factors that influence, and perhaps, resulted in the disease. We see this in every day life as well. When we overeat or under eat, when we have unbalanced sleep, and so forth, we endanger our health. With everything we need to remember that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing, too little of a good thing can be a bad thing, and so moderation is key.
This class is able to develop the goals of Concordia’s education in many ways. Unlike some classes, multiple disciplines come into the learning in Neurochemistry from Psychology, Chemistry, Biology, political policies, and so forth. Neurochemistry is able to explore different disciplines and how they work with and deal with these issues that we discuss each week allowing students to better develop an understanding of disciplinary and interdisciplinary connections. Also, the way that the class encourages looking at the connections between the disorder, possible pathways, and treatments helps to better the critical thinking skills of each student.
Overall, I believe that Neurochemistry taught me many things and helped me to better develop my understanding of hot topics in the area of Neuroscience. I feel that my liberal arts experienced has been enhanced by this class as it has allowed me to use my framework education to create a greater connection between the different areas of study. Neurochemistry has allowed me to get the most out of my undergraduate education, which will assist in my success in my future endeavors.
The Painful Reality of Migraines
Among the diseases and disorders we have covered so far, many of them have been the result of aging, exposure to environmental factors, and/or inherited genetically. The effects of these diseases have also continuously progressed as aging continues. This week in Neurochemistry we tried to tackle the complex nature of migraines. Being fortunate enough not to have ever had a migraine, it made it hard to understand what people experience when a migraine is occurring. A few students in the class talked about their experiences with migraines and how they are so debilitating and the most painful thing that they have ever experienced. So we dug deep this week to try and understand what exactly is going on with migraines.
In the United States, about 1 in 4 households have someone who experiences migraines and over 10% of the population, including children, suffer from migraines. Women also experience migraines three times as often as men and migraines seem to have a genetic component. Research has shown, that a child has a 40% chance of suffering from migraines if one parent also suffers from them, and that chance goes up to 90% if both parents suffer from migraines. Migraines are most common to peak during what are called the “productive years” between the ages of 25 and 55. Because of the normal age ranges that many experience migraines, it is thought that stress may also be a factor leading to the development of migraines. During these years, many are finishing school, getting jobs or retiring, starting a family, and also in the older generation having secondary families. It is a hectic and stressful time for many.
So what exactly is happening during a migraine, and what causes some to experience them and others not to? It is not exactly known what causes migraines, but some research has shown that vasodilation could be a root cause of them. One believed cause of increased vasodilation, is in relation to the Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP). It is believed that alternative splicing of the calcitonin gene, which is produced in the periphery and central nervous system neurons, and result in increased vasodilation, leading to a migraine. Other pro-inflammatory agents are believed to be associated with migraine development as well, such as serotonin, bradykinin, histamine, and prostaglandin. These different chemicals are believed to irritate the pain receptors, nociceptors, in the area of the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve that provides sensation for the face, and motor functions for mastication. The trigeminal nerve has three branches the ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular nerve branches. The ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve is believed to be the main nerve affected in migraines, as it is located in the temporal region of the cranium where migraine pain is many times associated.
There are three main types of treatments that are used for migraines triptans, gepants, and glutamate antagonists. Triptans are of a family of tryptamine-based molecules that are used to treat only a single migraine episode. They work by acting as an agonists for 5-HT receptor, which are serotonin receptors, which are located on the blood vessels in the brain. When these receptors are activated they cause constriction of the blood vessels as well as inhibition of pro-inflammatory neuropeptide release, and triptans work to increase these 5-HT receptor activation. Some research has shown that triptans may actually work to inhibit the release of GCRP as well. Gepants are CGRP antagonist molecules, and are being developed in the hopes to help prevent migraines. These drugs have no vasoconstricitive properties, which prevent them from causing some of the vascular side affects seen with the use of triptans. The last are glutamate antagonists that work by inhibiting receptors that bind glutamate. By binding to these receptors it helps to limit the activity of glutamate and decreases the intracellular calcium levels, slowing the depolarization of the cell down, which helps to decrease the pain receptors signaling. Besides these drug treatments, Botox has also been used for treatment of migraines. Botox uses the botulin toxin in small concentrations to stop the communication of neurons. In Botox treatments, a small solution of botulin toxin is used in a localized area to help prevent nociceptors from communicating the signal of pain to the brain, relieving the pain that is experienced during a migraine. However, many of these treatments do not relieve the debilitating effects of migraines permanently.
When looking at the number of people who suffer from migraines, one thing is for sure; more research should be done to look at improving current treatments and looking for possible cures. Migraines prevent many from doing daily activities and many times inhibit any form of activity. Some people may deal with these monthly, or even as extreme as weekly, which can really decrease the quality of life in these individuals. To better improve the quality of life in these individuals, there needs to be a push for drug companies to expand their resources and help to develop drugs that prevent these mind splitting headaches.
References:
- http://www.migraineresearchfoundation.org/fact-sheet.html
Migraines: Breakthroughs Still Needed
The pain and discomfort migraines cause can only be truly understood by someone who has experienced one. I have never experienced one however those close to me have. Sure, I’ve had headaches here and there but nothing that could completely knock me on my ass and keep me there until it’s gone. Migraines can completely bring people’s lives to a halt until they pass. This causes people to struggle with work, school, or everyday life if they are suffering from them. We have pain medications for all sorts of problems in our body and most of the time we have a long-term fix for what’s causing the pain. However, why is it that migraines are not just like other problems? Why can’t we just get them taken care of for good? Well, to fix something that is wrong you need to start at the beginning. The problem with migraines is that the beginning of them remains elusive to researchers.
The pain experienced in migraines ultimately results from vasodilation of cerebral blood vessels. The vasodilation occurs because neuropeptides are released (primarily CGRP) by intrinsic nerves and prompt and inflammatory response in that area. This activates the sensory neurons in the area of the vasodilation. The primary source of sensory neurons in the head comes from Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal Nerve). There are three branches to the nerve and they are the mandibular, maxillary, and ophthalmic branches. The maxillary and ophthalmic are purely sensory branches and are believed to be responsible for responding to the release of the neuropeptide CGRP causing a synapse through the brain stem. This synapse continues through the thalamus and then to the cortex of the brain and is interpreted as pain. The beginning cause of the migraine is hypothesized to originate somewhere in the brainstem however a specific pathway or location is not yet discovered. Though we cannot eliminate migraines from our world yet, we can manage them and treat those with them using drugs classified as either Gepants or Triptans.
Triptans are a class of drugs that act as agonists (activators) of 5-HT receptors on cranial blood vessels which causes constriction of the vessels. This class of drugs also acts as inhibitors of the release of pro-inflammatory neuropeptides. Triptans are not used as preventative they only can be used to treat single migraine episodes. Triptans should be taken with caution due to their vasoconstrictive nature. Gepants act as CGRP-antagonists in order to act as a preventative medication for those who regularly suffer from migraines. Because Gepants are not vasoconstrictors they don’t have adverse side-effects and are a positive light of hope for those who suffer from migraines.
There is still a lot of research that needs to be done in order to find an end-all cure for migraines because we can’t hope to end them if we don’t truly know where or how they begin. However, thanks to breakthroughs in medications like those with triptans and gepants, those who suffer from migraines can get back to their lives quicker than ever.
Until next time,
Sebastian