Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Cav2.1

Title: Mutant P/Q-type calcium channel electrophysiology and migraine.

Authors: J J Plomp, A M van den Maagdenberg, P C Molenaar, R R Frants, M D Ferrari

Journal, date & volume: , 2001 Sep , 2, 1250-60

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11717812

Abstract
The pathophysiological mechanisms of migraine are not yet very well understood. The gene CACNA1A, coding for the alpha 1A subunit of neuronal P/Q-type Ca2+ channels is mutated in the rare Mendelian inherited variant, familial hemiplegic migraine. This finding suggests a role for disturbed neuronal Ca2+ influx and/or homeostasis in the pathophysiology of migraine. It has stimulated in vitro electrophysiological investigations into the function of mutant human and mouse P/Q-type channels at cell bodies and synapses. A complex picture has emerged from this work, showing that different CACNA1A mutations lead to different effects on Ca2+ channel behavior and that synaptic transmission may become affected. We will review these studies and discuss the possible implications for the understanding of migraine pathophysiology.