The Role of Serotonin Receptors in Migraine Headaches

A. Y. Sokolov^a,b,1, O. A. Lyubashina^a, and S. S. Panteleev^a,b

^aPavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia

^bValdman Institute of Pharmacology, St. Petersburg Pavlov State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia

Received August 23, 2010

Abstract—This review provides information on the role of serotonin and its receptors in the pathogenesis of
primary headaches and, particularly, migraine headaches. We summarized the data on the distinctive distribu-
tion of different 5-HT receptors in the trigemino–vascular system and their involvement in the regulation of
cerebral vascular tone, as well as in the modulation of pain transmission in peripheral and central structures of
the trigeminal complex. In addition, we discussed the pharmacodynamics of several serotonergic drugs used in
the treatment of migraine.

Keywords: serotonin, 5-HT receptors, cerebral vasculature, trigeminal nerve, headache, migraine, triptans

DOI: 10.1134/S1819712411020085

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