Migraine with aura from pathophysiology to treatment: therapeutic strategies. 2005

G D'Andrea, and G Allais, and L Grazzi, and L Fumagalli
Headache and Cerebrovascular Center, Villa Margherita Neurological Clinic, Arcugnano VI, Italy. giovinavi@libero.it

Migraine with aura (MwA) sufferers, at times, need specific treatments. This is the case when the auras are frequent, prolonged and cause anxiety and distress. Abnormal release of glutamate, that may trigger auras, and abnormal platelet behaviour, that constitute a possible predisposing factor to MwA, may be possible targets for MwA specific prophylactic therapy. Here we present results obtained by using lamotrigine, an agent known to inhibit glutamate release, and picotamide, an antiplatelet drug. Both drugs significantly reduced, in two open label trials, the frequency and the duration of auras. In comparison with lamotrigine, the therapy with picotamide may offer some advantages, such as the use of the therapeutical dose from the first day of treatment (lamotrigine needs one month to reach such a dose) and the possibility to prevent cerebral ischaemic events and migraine stroke, a rare but severe complication of MwA attacks.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D004827 Epilepsy A disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of paroxysmal brain dysfunction due to a sudden, disorderly, and excessive neuronal discharge. Epilepsy classification systems are generally based upon: (1) clinical features of the seizure episodes (e.g., motor seizure), (2) etiology (e.g., post-traumatic), (3) anatomic site of seizure origin (e.g., frontal lobe seizure), (4) tendency to spread to other structures in the brain, and (5) temporal patterns (e.g., nocturnal epilepsy). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p313) Aura,Awakening Epilepsy,Seizure Disorder,Epilepsy, Cryptogenic,Auras,Cryptogenic Epilepsies,Cryptogenic Epilepsy,Epilepsies,Epilepsies, Cryptogenic,Epilepsy, Awakening,Seizure Disorders
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D020325 Migraine with Aura A subtype of migraine disorder, characterized by recurrent attacks of reversible neurological symptoms (aura) that precede or accompany the headache. Aura may include a combination of sensory disturbances, such as blurred VISION; HALLUCINATIONS; VERTIGO; NUMBNESS; and difficulty in concentrating and speaking. Aura is usually followed by features of the COMMON MIGRAINE, such as PHOTOPHOBIA; PHONOPHOBIA; and NAUSEA. (International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd ed. Cephalalgia 2004: suppl 1) Basilar-Type Migraine,Classic Migraine,Complicated Migraine,Familial Hemiplegic Migraine,Migraine, Classic,Acute Onset Aura Migraine,Basilar Artery Migraine,Basilar Migraine,Classical Migraine,Hemiplegic Migraine, Familial,Hemiplegic-Ophthalmoplegic Migraine,Migraine Aura without Headache,Migraine with Acute Onset Aura,Migraine with Prolonged Aura,Migraine with Typical Aura,Migraine, Prolonged Aura,Typical Aura without Headache,Basilar Migraines,Basilar Type Migraine,Familial Hemiplegic Migraines,Migraine with Auras,Migraine, Basilar,Migraine, Basilar Artery,Migraine, Basilar-Type,Migraine, Classical,Migraine, Complicated,Prolonged Aura Migraine

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