Cerebral haemodynamic changes during migraine attack and after triptan treatment

Introduction Migraine has been known for many years, but its mechanism remains unclear. Different cerebral hemodynamic changes have been observed at different stages of a migraine attack. Published results on cerebral hemodynamics are contradictory. For this reason, we aimed to investigate cerebral hemodynamic changes during attacks as well as the effects of frovatriptan and rizatriptan. Methods Forty migraine patients with aura using rizatriptan (n=20) and frovatriptan (n=20) and 20 healthy individuals were included in our study. Cerebral blood flow velocities and breath-holding indices were recorded bilaterally from middle and posterior cerebral arteries. All procedures were repeated one hour after treatments and one week after attacks. Results We observed similar values of cerebral blood flow velocities and breath holding indices in all patients with migraine during the attack-free period compared to the control group. All cerebral vascular structures in migraine patients had significantly lower cerebral blood flow velocities and higher values in breath-holding indices during attacks. After taking rizatriptan and frovatriptan for an attack, the changes in hemodynamics disappeared. Conclusion During attacks of migraineurs with aura, vasodilatation develops. In addition, higher vasomotor reactivity during attacks supports hypersensitivity in migraine pathophysiology. Triptans, acting as vasoconstrictor agents, were able to stop over-vasodilatation during attacks. In other words, it is possible that triptans show their effects by eliminating vascular hypersensitivity during acute attacks.