atrial-natriuretic-factor and Migraine-Disorders

Cortical spreading depression (CSD) may be the underlying mechanism of migraine aura. The role of CSD in initiating a migraine headache remains to be determined, but it might involve specific changes in gene expression in the brain. To examine these changes, four episodes of CSD at 5-minute intervals were induced in the mouse brain by application of 300mM KCl, and gene expression was examined 2 hours later using cDNA array and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Controls consisted of groups that received anesthesia only, attachment of recording electrodes only, and application of 0.9% NaCl. Of the over 1,180 genes examined in our experiments, those consistently regulated by CSD included vasoactive peptides; the vasodilator atrial natriuretic peptide was induced by CSD, while the vasoconstrictor neuropeptide Y was downregulated. Other genes specifically regulated by CSD were involved in oxidative stress responses (major prion protein, glutathione-S-transferase-5, and apolipoprotein E). L-type calcium channel mRNA was upregulated. In summary, CSD regulates genes that are intrinsic to its propagation, that identify accompanying vascular responses as a potential source of pain, and that protect against its potential pathological consequences. We believe these observations have strong relevance to the mechanisms of migraine and its outcomes.

Topics: Anesthetics; Animals; Apolipoproteins E; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Brain; Brain Chemistry; Calcium Channels, L-Type; Cortical Spreading Depression; Cytokines; Gene Expression; Glutathione Transferase; Mice; Migraine Disorders; Models, Animal; Neuropeptide Y; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; Prions; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger

Six subjects with a history of increased urinary frequency during migraine were studied. In each case there was a marked diuresis and natriuresis within 12 hours of onset of the headache. This was associated with a significant fall in urinary arginine vasopressin (AVP) (p less than 0.01). Migraine may be associated with altered hypothalamic activity resulting in reduced AVP secretion.

Topics: Adult; Arginine Vasopressin; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Migraine Disorders; Oxytocin; Water-Electrolyte Balance