Wang Y, Tye AE, Zhao J, Ma D, Raddant AC, Bu F, Spector BL, Winslow NK, Wang M, Russo AF. Induction of calcitonin gene-related peptide expression in rats by cortical spreading depression.
Cephalalgia 2016;
39:333-341. [PMID:
27919019 DOI:
10.1177/0333102416678388]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has now been established as a key player in migraine. However, the mechanisms underlying the reported elevation of CGRP in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of some migraineurs are not known. A candidate mechanism is cortical spreading depression (CSD), which is associated with migraine with aura and traumatic brain injury. The aim of this study was to investigate whether CGRP gene expression may be induced by experimental CSD in the rat cerebral cortex.
METHODS
CSD was induced by topical application of KCl and monitored using electrophysiological methods. Quantitative PCR and ELISA were used to measure CGRP mRNA and peptide levels in discrete ipsilateral and contralateral cortical regions of the rat brain 24 hours following CSD events and compared with sham treatments.
RESULTS
The data show that multiple, but not single, CSD events significantly increase CGRP mRNA levels at 24 hours post-CSD in the ipsilateral rat cerebral cortex. Increased CGRP was observed in the ipsilateral frontal, motor, somatosensory, and visual cortices, but not the cingulate cortex, or contralateral cortices. CSD also induced CGRP peptide expression in the ipsilateral, but not contralateral, cortex.
CONCLUSIONS
Repeated CSD provides a mechanism for prolonged elevation of CGRP in the cerebral cortex, which may contribute to migraine and post-traumatic headache.
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