Ion channels in migraine disorders

Migraine is a complex brain disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of unilateral headache and a global dysfunction in multisensory information processing. Genetic studies implicate several ion channel genes in migraine, ether as causative of a monogenic subtype (FHM) or possible contributors. Here we mainly discuss functional studies in transgenic mice carrying a CaV2.1 mutation causing FHM, and the insights they provide into the disease mechanisms, in particular regarding susceptibility to cortical spreading depression (CSD), the phenomenon that underlies migraine aura and can trigger the headache mechanisms. We also discuss recent findings implicating the ATP-gated P2X7 receptor in initiation of experimental CSD, and review some properties of the channels identified by genome-wide association studies as having a potential role in migraine.