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Molecular interactions in migraine

Editor: Rashid Giniatullin, MD, PhD, The University of Eastern Finland, Finland

The aim of this thematic series is to highlight the complexity of molecular mechanisms underlying different types of migraine. The thematic series includes, but are not limited to, the following themes: signalling networks, protein-protein interactions and receptor crosstalk, neuroimmune interactions and drugs action/interaction in migraine. This collection should help to elucidate signalling networks underlying neuronal sensitization and migraine pain as well as the abnormal cortical excitability and highlight novel potential molecular targets for this common disorder.


  1. Migraine is a severely debilitating disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Studies have indicated that activation of protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) in the dura mater causes headache response...

    Authors: Bianca N. Mason, Shayne N. Hassler, Kathryn DeFea, Scott Boitano, Josef Vagner, Theodore J. Price and Greg Dussor
    Citation: The Journal of Headache and Pain 2023 24:42
    Content type: Research Published on:

  2. Engaging the endocannabinoid system through inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), degrading endocannabinoids (endoCBs) 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide...

    Authors: Adriana Della Pietra, Georgii Krivoshein, Konstantin Ivanov, Raisa Giniatullina, Henna-Kaisa Jyrkkänen, Ville Leinonen, Marko Lehtonen, Arn M. J. M. van den Maagdenberg, Juha Savinainen and Rashid Giniatullin
    Citation: The Journal of Headache and Pain 2023 24:38
    Content type: Research Published on:

  4. Migraine is a prevalent disorder with significant socioeconomic impact. The impairment of metabolic homeostasis in migraine warrants further investigation. Changes in serum levels of Fibroblast-growth-factor 2...

    Authors: Jiahui He, Mengting Zhou, Fanglin Zhao, Hongrong Cheng, Hao Huang, Xiaopei Xu, Jian Han, Wenwu Hong, Faming Wang, Yujin Xiao, Jinjin Xia and Kaiming Liu
    Citation: The Journal of Headache and Pain 2023 24:28
    Content type: Research Published on:

  5. Migraine is a major health burden worldwide with complex pathophysiology and multifarious underlying mechanisms. One poorly understood issue concerns the early steps in the generation of migraine pain. To eluc...

    Authors: R. Giniatullin and A. Nistri
    Citation: The Journal of Headache and Pain 2023 24:1
    Content type: Review Published on:

  7. The migraine premonitory phase is characterized in part by increased thirst, urination and yawning. Imaging studies show that the hypothalamus is activated in the premonitory phase. Stress is a well know migra...

    Authors: Caroline M. Kopruszinski, Robson Vizin, Moe Watanabe, Ashley L. Martinez, Luiz Henrique Moreira de Souza, David W. Dodick, Frank Porreca and Edita Navratilova
    Citation: The Journal of Headache and Pain 2022 23:126
    Content type: Research Published on:

  8. Targeting fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is a promising therapeutic strategy to combat certain forms of pain, including migraine headache. FAAH inhibitors, such as the O-biphenyl-3-yl carbamate URB597, have be...

    Authors: Rosaria Greco, Chiara Demartini, Anna Maria Zanaboni, Miriam Francavilla, Angelo Reggiani, Natalia Realini, Rita Scarpelli, Daniele Piomelli and Cristina Tassorelli
    Citation: The Journal of Headache and Pain 2022 23:79
    Content type: Research Published on:

  9. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors 1B, 1D and 1F have key roles in migraine pharmacotherapy. Selective agonists targeting these receptors, such as triptans and ditans, are effective in aborting acute migrain...

    Authors: Jacob C. A. Edvinsson, Aida Maddahi, Isabella M. Christiansen, Philip V. Reducha, Karin Warfvinge, Majid Sheykhzade, Lars Edvinsson and Kristian A. Haanes
    Citation: The Journal of Headache and Pain 2022 23:26
    Content type: Research article Published on:

  10. The precise underlying mechanisms of migraine remain unknown. Although we have previously shown acute orofacial pain evoked changes within the brainstem of individuals with migraine, we do not know if these br...

    Authors: Tiffani J. Mungoven, Kasia K. Marciszewski, Vaughan G. Macefield, Paul M. Macey, Luke A. Henderson and Noemi Meylakh
    Citation: The Journal of Headache and Pain 2022 23:9
    Content type: Research article Published on:

  11. Clinical observations suggest that hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance can be associated with migraine headache. In the present study we examined the effect of insulin on transient receptor potential vanil...

    Authors: Judit Rosta, Máté Tóth, Nadine Friedrich, Péter Sántha, Gábor Jancsó and Mária Dux
    Citation: The Journal of Headache and Pain 2022 23:7
    Content type: Research article Published on:

  12. Migraine is a common brain disorder that predominantly affects women. Migraine pain seems mediated by the activation of mechanosensitive channels in meningeal afferents. Given the role of transient receptor po...

    Authors: G. Krivoshein, E. A. Tolner, AMJM van den Maagdenberg and R. A. Giniatullin
    Citation: The Journal of Headache and Pain 2022 23:4
    Content type: Research article Published on:

    The Correction to this article has been published in The Journal of Headache and Pain 2022 23:17