A Sympathetic Nervous System Theory of Migraine

Abstract

Migraine (MGR) ranks first among diseases in terms of years of lost healthy life in young adult and adult women. Currently, there is no theory of MGR. This paper presents a complete theory of migraine that explains its etiology, symptoms, pathology, and treatment. Migraine involves partially saturated (usually chronically high) sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, mainly due to higher sensitivity of the metabolic sensors that recruit it. MGR headache occurs when SNS activity is desensitized or excessive, resulting in hyperexcitability of baroreceptors, oxidative stress, and activation of pain pathways via TRPV1 channels and CGRP. The theory is supported by overwhelming evidence, and explains the properties of current MGR treatments.