The KATP channel in migraine pathophysiology: a novel therapeutic target for migraine

Mohammad Al-Mahdi Al-Karagholi,Jakob Møller Hansen,Inger Jansen-Olesen,Johanne Severinsen,Messoud Ashina

doi:10.1186/s10194-017-0800-8

Mohammad Al-Mahdi Al-Karagholi, Jakob Møller Hansen + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-017-0800-8

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Abstract

BackgroundTo review the distribution and function of KATP channels, describe the use of KATP channels openers in clinical trials and make the case that these channels may play a role in headache and migraine.DiscussionKATP channels are widely present in the trigeminovascular system and play an important role in the regulation of tone in cerebral and meningeal arteries. Clinical trials using synthetic KATP channel openers report headache as a prevalent-side effect in non-migraine sufferers, indicating that KATP channel opening may cause headache, possibly due to vascular mechanisms. Whether KATP channel openers can provoke migraine in migraine sufferers is not known.ConclusionWe suggest that KATP channels may play an important role in migraine pathogenesis and could be a potential novel therapeutic anti-migraine target.

Highlights

Adenosine 5′-triphosphate-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel openers have been used in clinical trials for the treatment of hypertension and asthma
We suggest that KATP channels may play an important role in migraine pathogenesis and could be a potential novel therapeutic anti-migraine target
Emerging evidence suggests that KATP channels could be involved in the pathophysiology of migraine

Summary

Introduction

Adenosine 5′-triphosphate-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel openers have been used in clinical trials for the treatment of hypertension and asthma. The most common side effect mentioned during treatment with KATP channel openers was headache (62, 64, 66–79) (Tables 2 and 3). Only little attention has been focused on the role of KATP channels in migraine pathophysiology. KATP channels are critical in regulating insulin secretion, Over the past three decades, some preclinical evidence has emerged indicating that KATP channels may play an important role in migraine pathophysiology. To review the distribution and function of KATP channels, describe the use of KATP channels openers in clinical trials and make the case that these channels may play a role in headache and migraine

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