Work

Androgenic suppression of spreading depression in familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 mutant mice

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: Familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 (FHM1), a severe migraine with aura variant, is caused by mutations in the CACNA1A gene. Mutant mice carrying the FHM1 R192Q mutation exhibit increased propensity for cortical spreading depression (CSD), a propagating wave of neuroglial depolarization implicated in migraine aura. The CSD phenotype is stronger in female R192Q mutants and diminishes after ovariectomy. Here, we show that orchiectomy reciprocally increases CSD susceptibility in R192Q mutant mice. Chronic testosterone replacement restores CSD susceptibility by an androgen receptor-dependent mechanism. Hence, androgens modulate genetically-enhanced CSD susceptibility and may provide a novel prophylactic target for migraine.

Source: Annals of Neurology

DOI: 10.1002/ana.21779

Authors: Katharina Eikermann‐Haerter, Michael J. Baum, Michel D. Ferrari, Arn M.J.M. van den Maagdenberg, Michael A. Moskowitz, Cenk Ayata

Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston University, Leiden University Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Migraine and Headache Studies

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke