Abstract

This review summarized the contribution of dopamine in the pathophysiology in migraine from multiple investigators who had reported alteration in dopaminergic neurotransmission in migraine patients. A reduction in frequency and severity of attacks in migraine has been observed after they developed Parkinson‘s disease, and serum levels of dopamine was increased in patients with migraine without aura. The clinical trials involving treatment with dopamine receptor anta- gonists for migraine provide strong evidence for the involvement of dopamine. The accompanying symptoms during a migraine attack, such as nauea, vomiting, dizziness and orthostatic faintness may be related to dopaminergic activa- tion. Recent genetic association studies have addressed the possible genetic role of the dopaminergic system in migraine. The studies investigating dopamine-related candidate genes have revealed some interesting but as yet inconclusive.