NCT02309606

Investigation of Serotonin Receptor Binding in the Migraine Brain Using Positron Emission Tomography

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 56 (actual)
• Sponsor: Danish Headache Center · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Migraine affects 16% of the world population and is one of the most disabling of all disorders. It is a complex brain disorder characterized primarily by recurrent headache attacks. The signaling molecule serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) has for decades been thought to play a central role in migraine pathophysiology. The most effective class of abortive migraine drugs, the triptans, act on 5-HT receptors. However, the migraine-specific actions of serotonin and the mechanisms of triptans are still unknown. In this project the investigators will use high-resolution positron emission tomography and specific radioligands to investigate the significance of serotonin in migraine. Two newly developed radioligands that are specific for the 5-HT1B and 5-HT4 receptor, respectively, will be applied. To investigate the level and distribution of serotonin in the migraine brain the investigators will compare the binding of these ligands in episodic migraine patients with healthy controls. In addition, the investigators will include chronic migraine patients to evaluate the relation between the level of serotonin in the brain and the frequency of migraine attacks. To investigate the changes in the serotonin level during a migraine attack and the effects of triptans on the central nervous system the investigators will repeat the scans using the 5-HT1B specific ligand during induced migraine attacks and following treatment with sumatriptan. The results from this study will shed light on the role of serotonin in the migraine brain and elucidate the migraine-specific action of triptans. This will improve our understanding of the migraine pathophysiology and, potentially, facilitate the development of more efficient treatment of migraine.

Conditions

• Migraine Without Aura

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	PET scan with 5-HT receptor ligands	Interictal episodic migraine patients and healthy controls will be scanned with a 5-HT1B and a 5-HT4 receptor radioligand. Episodic migraine patients will further be scanned during a cilostazol induced migraine attack and after treatment with sumatriptan. Chronic migraine patients will be scanned with only the 5-HT4 receptor radioligand.

Timeline

• Start date: 2015-01-01
• Primary completion: 2017-08-01
• Completion: 2017-12-01
• First posted: 2014-12-05
• Last updated: 2018-01-31

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Denmark