Increased serum levels of brain-derived neurotropic factor during migraine attacks: a pilot study

Abstract

There is a growing body of evidence implicating inflammatory cytokines and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) in the generation of migraine pain. No previous study evaluated BNDF levels during migraine attacks and there are conflicting results regarding tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) serum levels. This study compared serum levels of TNF-alpha, soluble TNF receptors 1 and 2 (sTNF-R1 and sTNF-R2), and BDNF during migraine attacks and in headache-free periods. Nine patients with episodic migraine were clinically evaluated during a migraine attack and in a headache-free period. Blood sample of each patient in both occasions was collected and all serum was submitted to TNF-alpha, sTNF-R1, sTNF-R2, and BDNF determination by ELISA. There was no significant difference in the serum levels of TNF-alpha, sTNF-R1 and sTNF-R2 in migraine attack period and headache-free period. BDNF serum levels were significantly higher during migraine attack than in pain-free period. This is the first report showing that BDNF serum levels increase during migraine attack. This reinforces the view that BDNF may be implicated in the physiopathology of migraine.

Serum levels of adiponectin, CCL3/MIP-1α, and CCL5/RANTES discriminate migraine from tension-type headache patients

“…We have recently compared ADP, chemokines, and neurotrophic factors between patients with migraine and controls 9,10,14,16 , and between patients with TTH and controls 12,13,18 . In the current study we aimed to compare these molecules levels between a group of patients with migraine and a group of patients with TTH.…”

“…For analysis we used the same procedures previously described 9,10,12,13,14,16,18 . The assay conditions were controlled, standardized and pre-optimized to ensure repeatability and reproducibility.…”

“…Some studies have proposed that pro-and anti-inflammatory molecules may play a role in the pathophysiology of migraine 8,9,10 and TTH 11,12,13 . The association between neurotrophic factors and migraine 14,15,16 , and neurotrophic factors and TTH 17,18 has also been investigated. As different pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed for migraine and TTH, it is possible that the profile of these molecules may be distinct in these two disorders.…”

Neurotrophic factors in tension-type headache

“…In other primary headache disorders, such as migraine and cluster headache, the levels of NF were registered to be higher during pain attacks 6,7 . It is possible that this is not the case for TTH.…”

“…Reduced BDNF and NGF platelet levels have been described in patients with migraine and chronic daily headache (CDH) 5 . BDNF was shown to be increased during migraine and cluster headache attacks 6,7 . Increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of NGF and BDNF, …”