Japanese scientists have established one of the causes of migraine. The study was conducted by employees of the Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), the results were published in September on the institution’s website.
Currently, no effective methods of treating migraines have been found, and the nature of the disease has not been established either. However, the experiments of Japanese specialists on mice have shown that neuronal overstrain can be the basis for the onset of migraine.
Normally, neurons in the brain interact with each other by transmitting neurotransmitters, after which the latter undergo a so-called reuptake. This prevents reuse of the neurotransitter and prevents neuronal overexcitation.
However, migraines are associated with a condition called cortical depression. This phenomenon is characterized by a sharp change in the hyperactivity of neurons by their suppression.
Scientists from Japan believe that the predisposition to this condition is associated with impaired transport of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate.
The study found that when scientists blocked the GLT-1 transporter in mice, cortical depression occurred more frequently and spread faster. With the help of this gene, up to 90% of glutamate is transported.
“If it turns out that people with migraine have disrupted GLT-1, then drug therapy aimed at increasing glutamate reuptake may be an effective treatment option,” the authors concluded.
On September 19, it was reported that scientists from the University of Liverpool spoke about the devastating effects on the brain due to coronavirus infection. Today, among the neuropsychiatric consequences of coronavirus, the most common are stroke, cerebral hemorrhage and memory loss.