Trigger mechanisms of migraine aura

What is it about?

The review describes mechanisms that may underlie triggering migraine attacks. Development of a self-propagating wave of neuronal excitation (spreading depression) in the brain is thought to initiate the headache. But it is unknown what elicits the wave of excitation in the apparently normal brain of migraine patients. The review shows that commonplace benign stimuli, e.g. light or sound, can trigger a wave of spreading depression in the hyperexcitable cerebral cortex of migraine sufferers.

Featured Image