Biochemistry of neuromodulation in primary headaches: focus on anomalies of tyrosine metabolism

D’Andrea, Giovanni; Nordera, G. P.; Perini, Francesco; Allais, Gianni; Granella, Franco

doi:10.1007/s10072-007-0758-4

Cited by 27 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 13 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…It has been hypothesized that anomalies of the metabolism of glutamate, GABA, together with those that govern the pain and vegetative functions such as serotonin (5HT), dopamine (DA) and noradrenalin (NE) constitute the phenotypical biochemical cause of the migraine [6]. Recent studies have also shown that the elusive amines such as tyramine, octopamine and tryptamine play a role in migraine pathogenesis [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochemistry of primary headaches: role of tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism

D’Andrea¹,

Cevoli

Colavito³

et al. 2015

Neurol Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The pathogenesis of migraine as well as cluster headache (CH) is yet a debated question. In this review, we discuss the possible role of the of tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism in the pathogenesis of these primary headaches. These include the abnormalities in the synthesis of neurotransmitters: high level of DA, low level of NE and very elevated levels of octopamine and synephrine (neuromodulators) in plasma of episodic migraine without aura and CH patients. We hypothesize that the imbalance between the levels of neurotransmitters and elusive amines synthesis is due to a metabolic shift directing tyrosine toward an increased decarboxylase and reduced hydroxylase enzyme activities. The metabolic shift of the tyrosine is favored by a state of neuronal hyperexcitability and a reduced mitochondrial activity present in migraine. In addition we present biochemical studies performed in chronic migraine and chronic tension-type headache patients to verify if the same anomalies of the tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism are present in these primary headaches and, if so, their possible role in the chronicity process of CM and CTTH. The results show that important abnormalities of tyrosine metabolism are present only in CM patients (very high plasma levels of DA, NE and tryptamine). Tryptamine plasma levels were found significantly lower in both CM and CTTH patients. In view of this, we propose that migraine and, possibly, CH attacks derive from neurotransmitter and neuromodulator metabolic abnormalities in a hyperexcitable and hypoenergetic brain that spread from the frontal lobe, downstream, resulting in abnormally activated nuclei of the pain matrix. The low tryptamine plasma levels found in CM and CTTH patients suggest that these two primary chronic headaches are characterized by a common insufficient serotoninergic control of the pain threshold.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochemistry of primary headaches: role of tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism

D’Andrea¹,

Cevoli

Colavito³

et al. 2015

Neurol Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In comparison to control subjects, ED patients present significantly higher dopamine plasma levels, whereas noradrenalin, derived from its precursor dopamine, via the activation of dopamine b-hydroxylase enzyme activity [13], significantly lower plasma levels. The plasma levels of tyramine, product of tyrosine decarboxylase enzyme activity with tyrosine being the substrate [14], are significantly higher in ED than controls, whereas those of the octopamine are apparently similar in both patient groups. However, when these data, which include both the anorexic and bulimic patent groups, are disaggregated, their profiles change.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 48%

Is migraine a risk factor for the occurrence of eating disorders? Prevalence and biochemical evidences

D’Andrea¹,

Ostuzzi²,

Bolner³

et al. 2012

Neurol Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The eating disorders (ED), anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), are severe psychiatric and somatic conditions occurring mainly in young woman. Although the aetiology is largely unknown, same evidences suggest that biological and psychological factors play a relevant role in the pathogenesis, along with monoamine, indole and same hypothalamic hormonal dysfunctions. Migraine is characterized by similar metabolic and psychological anomalies suggesting that a possible relationship exists between the two pathological conditions. To understand the possible relationship between migraine and ED, we have investigated the prevalence of migraine and the other primary headaches in a large group of AN and BN patients. In addition, we have studied the role of tyrosine metabolism in the same group of AN and BN young woman sufferers. In particular, we measured plasma levels of elusive amines: tyramine (Tyr) and octopamine (Oct) and catecholamines: noradrenalin (NE), dopamine (DA). The results of this study show that the prevalence of migraine in the woman affected by ED is very high (<75 %). The levels of Tyr and DA were higher and levels of NE were lower in the ED patients in respect to the control subjects. These biochemical findings suggest that abnormalities of limbic and hypothalamic circuitries play a role in the pathogenesis of ED. The very high prevalence of migraine in our group of ED sufferers and the biochemical profile of migraine, similar to that of ED patients shown in this study, suggest that migraine may constitute a risk factor for the occurrence of ED in young females. This hypothesis is supported by the onset of migraine attacks that initiated, in the majority of the patients, before the occurrence of ED symptoms.

show abstract

“…A 2007 review demonstrated elevated levels of neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus and amygdala of migraine patients. 76 Dosing is generally initiated at 15 mg per day and slowly increased to doses as high as 75 mg. The average dose in CM is typically 45 mg qd.…”

Section: Phenelzinementioning

confidence: 99%