Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) potently dilates middle meningeal arteries: implications for migraine.

ABSTRACT: Migraine is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by mild to severe headache that is often accompanied by aura and other neurological symptoms. Among proposed mechanisms, dilation of the dural vasculature especially the middle meningeal artery (MMA) has been implicated as one component underlying this disorder. Several regulatory peptides from trigeminal sensory and sphenopalatine postganglionic parasympathetic fibers innervating these vessels have been implicated in the process including pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP). Although PACAP has been well described as a potent dilator in many vascular beds, the effects of PACAP on the dural vasculature are unclear. In the current study, we examined the ability of PACAP to dilate MMAs that were isolated fro

SUBMITTER: Syed AU 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3581331 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature