There is little doubt that the pathology of migraine depends strongly on a vascular component.  Both vasoconstrictors and vasodilators are effective in some cases of migraine.  Furthermore, even though vasoconstrictors are effective in migraines, it does not mean that drugs that cause vasodilation are necessarily the culprits which precipitate migraines.  It appears that migraine comprises far-reaching changes in vascular functions, which are unpredictable, especially if we take into consideration that anti-inflammatory drugs which have no direct vasoactive action, are also effective.  Read the part on the treatment of migraine (Katz).  Prepare a rationalisation of the pathology of migraine as well as current treatments and how they work and submit in as a blog summary

Migraine pathology

Migraine is a primary brain disorder most likely involving an ion channel in the aminergic brain stem nuclei (←), a form of neurovascular headache in which neural events result in dilation of blood vessels aggravating the pain and resulting in further nerve activation.

Migraine typically recurs over a period lasting 4 to 72 hours and is often incapacitating. The primary type is migraine without aura (formerly called common migraine). This condition is commonly unilateral (affecting one side of the head), with severe throbbing or pulsating headache and nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light & sound.

Treatment

•  Anticonvulsants valproic acid and topiramate.
• Flunarizine a calcium channel blocker which reduces the severity of the acute attack and to prevent recurrences.
• Verapamil which is considered to have modest efficacy as prophylaxis against migraine