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. 2008 Apr 25;9(3):151–157. doi: 10.1007/s10194-008-0036-8

Involvement of calcitonin gene-related peptide in migraine: regional cerebral blood flow and blood flow velocity in migraine patients

L H Lassen 1, V B Jacobsen 1, P A Haderslev 1, B Sperling 2, H K Iversen 1, J Olesen 1, P Tfelt-Hansen 1,✉
PMCID: PMC2386847  PMID: 18437288

Abstract

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-containing nerves are closely associated with cranial blood vessels. CGRP is the most potent vasodilator known in isolated cerebral blood vessels. CGRP can induce migraine attacks, and two selective CGRP receptor antagonists are effective in the treatment of migraine attacks. It is therefore important to investigate its mechanism of action in patients with migraine. We here investigate the effects of intravenous human alpha-CGRP (hαCGRP) on intracranial hemodynamics. In a double-blind, cross-over study, the effect of intravenous infusion of hαCGRP (2 μg/min) or placebo for 20 min was studied in 12 patients with migraine without aura outside attacks. Xenon-133 inhalation SPECT-determined regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and transcranial Doppler (TCD)-determined blood velocity (Vmean) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA), as well as the heart rate and blood pressure, were the outcome parameters. No change of rCBF was observed at the end of infusion [1.2% ± 1.7 with hαCGRP, vs. −1.6% ± 3.1 with placebo (mean ± SD)] (P = 0.43). Vmean in MCA decreased to 13.5% ± 3.6 with hαCGRP versus 0.6% ± 1.8 with placebo (P < 0.005). Since rCBF was unchanged, this indicates a dilation of the MCA. hαCGRP induced a decrease in MAP (12%) (P < 0.005) and an increase in heart rate (58%) (P < 0.0001). CGRP dilates cerebral arteries, but the effect is so small that it is unlikely to be the only mechanism of CGRP-induced migraine.

Keywords: Human calcitonin gene-related peptide, Cerebral arteries, Transcranial Doppler, Regional cerebral blood flow, Migraine

Full Text

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Acknowledgments

We thank Mrs. Bente Dall and Mrs. Eva Broedsgaard for technical assistance. This study was supported by the Lundbeck Foundation via the Lundbeck Foundation Center for Neurovascular Signaling (LUCENS).

Conflicts of interest

None of the authors have any conflict of interest in connection with this work.

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