Authors

Sameera Muqueet

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Abstract

Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders, but remains poorly understood. It is characterized by severe throbbing, headache, and negatively impacts the quality of life of patients by causing attacks of debilitating pain. The mechanism by which migraines arise is not known, hindering the development of effective treatment options. Recent studies have demonstrated activation of glutamate receptors in the trigeminovascular system in the pathophysiology of migraines. In particular, α-amino3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid (AMPA) ionotropic glutamate receptors have been implicated in the development of migraines. This study aims to investigate the role of AMPA receptors in the pathogenesis of migraine pain. Western blot analysis of brain tissue was utilized to quantify the changes in AMPA receptor subunit expression in mice that have been induced with chronic migraine pain. GluR2 expression was found to be 3 times as high in mice induced with migraine pain than in the control group, supporting the involvement of AMPA receptor activation in the pathophysiology of migraine pain.

Publication Date

5-1-2017

Language

English

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