Metabolic Syndrome in Migraine Patients: Recent Findings and Treatment Approach

The neurovascular theory explains migraine to be a result of complex pathophysiological changes leading to activation of trigeminal nociceptors by several inflammatory mediators. Different classes of drugs have been used to control migraine where specific class of drugs inhibit only specific mediators while sparing others, resulting into suboptimal treatment response. Migraine is also reported by a significant proportion of patients suffering with various metabolic syndrome related conditions. The chronic inflammation caused by metabolic disruptions has been the leading cause that contributes in inducing and worsening migraine attacks. Treating these patients for conditions such as obesity and insulin resistance has resulted in significant improvement in alleviating migraine episodes. These findings provide opportunities to devise a comprehensive migraine treatment regimen that combines pharmacotherapy with metabolic corrections, lifestyle changes and diet therapy to achieve improved treatment outcome. Metabolic Syndrome in Migraine Patients: Recent Findings and Treatment Approach