Migraines

A migraine is generally moderate to severe pain in the form of palpitations or pulsations. It may affect one or both sides of the head. It is often aggravated by physical activity, light, sounds or smells and is accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to sounds, light and/or smells.

Migraines are a common health problem, affecting around 1 in 5 women and 1 in 15 men, and usually begin in early adulthood.

There are several types of migraine, including :

Migraine is a common form of headache that can be very disabling. 

The exact causes of migraine are still poorly understood, but it is widely accepted that it is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Common triggers of migraine include stress, hormonal changes, fatigue, the consumption of certain foods and drinks, as well as changes in routine or sleep disturbance.

At present, there are no specific biomarkers for diagnosing migraine. However, studies are underway to identify potential biomarkers that could help diagnose migraine, predict response to treatment and monitor disease progression.

Here are some potential biomarkers that have been studied for migraine:

• Levels of certain chemicals in the blood, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P and glutamate, have been associated with migraine and can be used as potential biomarkers.
• Changes in the electrical activity of the brain, as detected by electroencephalography (EEG), can also be used as potential biomarkers for migraine.
• Brain imaging, such as functional MRI, can help identify brain areas involved in migraine and can be used to monitor changes in the brain over time.