Migrainous Infarction and Cortical Spreading Depression.

Abstract

Migraine is a very common disorder of the nervous system. It shares similar physiological processes with stroke. Migrainous infarction is a rare complication of migraine with aura. The neuro-logical symptoms of migraine aura correspond to the cortical spreading depression and this depression can lead to a migrainous infarction. It is pertinent to state that the investigation and detection of the cortical depression might have a great clinical significance. Blood vessels in the cranium play an important role in the pathophysiology of migraine. In the case of injured states of brain, the cortical spreading depression causes extreme vasoconstriction rather than vasodilation. The endothelial damage caused by the cortical spreading depression can result in hypercoagulability, leading to an increased risk of stroke. There are many genetic disorders in which migraine and stroke are the major symptoms and an insight into these disorders can help us in the understanding of complex mechanisms of migrainous infarction. It is pertinent to state that some derangements in the vascular function accompany migraine which may also serve as targets for research and treatment. This article will describe the hemodynamic and genetic relationship between migraine induced stroke and how it relates to the cortical spreading depression.