Dataset Information

Role of calcitonin gene-related peptide in light-aversive behavior: implications for migraine.

ABSTRACT: Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of severe unilateral throbbing head pain and associated symptoms, such as photophobia. Our current understanding of the mechanisms underlying migraine has been hampered by limitations in ascertaining migraine symptoms in animal models. Clinical studies have established the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) as a key player in migraine. Here, we establish a genetic model of photophobia by engineering increased sensitivity to CGRP in mice. These transgenic mice (nestin/hRAMP1) display light-aversive behavior that is greatly enhanced by intracerebroventricular injection of CGRP and blocked by coadministration of the CGRP receptor antagonist olcegepant. This behavior appears to be an indicator of photophobia and cannot be fully explained by gross abnormality of ocular anatomy or differences in general anxiety or motor activity. Our findings demonstrate that a single gene, receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1), can be a modifier of photophobia and, by extension, suggest that genetic or epigenetic modulation of RAMP1 levels may contribute to migraine susceptibility. Moreover, they validate CGRP hypersensitive mice as a tool for exploring the neurobiology and novel therapies for migraine and other disorders involving photophobia.

SUBMITTER: Recober A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2944225 | biostudies-other | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Role of calcitonin gene-related peptide in light-aversive behavior: implications for migraine.

Recober Ana A Kuburas Adisa A Zhang Zhongming Z Wemmie John A JA Anderson Michael G MG Russo Andrew F AF

The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience 20090701 27

Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of severe unilateral throbbing head pain and associated symptoms, such as photophobia. Our current understanding of the mechanisms underlying migraine has been hampered by limitations in ascertaining migraine symptoms in animal models. Clinical studies have established the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) as a key player in migraine. Here, we establish a genetic model of photophobia by engineering ...[more]

PMID: 19587287

Similar Datasets

Project description:ObjectiveTo summarize the pharmacology of the calcitonin peptide family of receptors and explore their relationship to migraine and current migraine therapies.BackgroundTherapeutics that dampen calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) signaling are now in clinical use to prevent or treat migraine. However, CGRP belongs to a broader peptide family, including the peptides amylin and adrenomedullin. Receptors for this family are complex, displaying overlapping pharmacologic profiles. Despite the focus on CGRP and the CGRP receptor in migraine research, recent evidence implicates related peptides and receptors in migraine.MethodsThis narrative review summarizes literature encompassing the current pharmacologic understanding of the calcitonin peptide family, and the evidence that links specific members of this family to migraine and migraine-like behaviors.ResultsRecent work links amylin and adrenomedullin to migraine-like behavior in rodent models and migraine-like attacks in individuals with migraine. We collate novel information that suggests females may be more sensitive to amylin and CGRP in the context of migraine-like behaviors. We report that drugs designed to antagonize the canonical CGRP receptor also antagonize a second CGRP-responsive receptor and speculate as to whether this influences therapeutic efficacy. We also discuss the specificity of current drugs with regards to CGRP isoforms and how this may influence therapeutic profiles. Lastly, we emphasize that receptors related to, but distinct from, the canonical CGRP receptor may represent underappreciated and novel drug targets.ConclusionMultiple peptides within the calcitonin family have been linked to migraine. The current focus on CGRP and its canonical receptor may be obscuring pathways to further therapeutics. Drug discovery schemes that take a wider view of the receptor family may lead to the development of new anti-migraine drugs with favorable clinical profiles. We also propose that understanding these related peptides and receptors may improve our interpretation regarding the mechanism of action of current drugs.

Dataset Information

Role of calcitonin gene-related peptide in light-aversive behavior: implications for migraine.

Publications

Role of calcitonin gene-related peptide in light-aversive behavior: implications for migraine.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets