Year: 2010
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Migraine headache is a disabling chronic condition, especially in women of childbearing age. Its etiology is currently unknown. The efficacy of serotonin receptor (5-HT1B/1D) agonists, triptans, in relieving attacks of migraine headache suggests a role for serotonin in the course of the headache. Platelets contain the largest reserve of serotonin stored in the body and thus, platelets may play a role in the etiology of migraine attacks. The literature is equivocal about the role of the platelet in migraine. This study has identified evidence of a bleeding diathesis, including menorrhagia, gum bleeding, gross hematuria, and ecchymosis, in migraineurs. Migraineurs also have fewer platelet dense granules in their platelets than healthy control subjects (1.61±0.14 vs. 3.85±0.14), but there are no significant differences in platelet serotonin and adenine nucleotide content.
Author: Karin Chang
Institution: University of Toledo
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2199806841