Abstract

Migraines are a type of headache that specifically act on only one side of the head, although about 30% of patients with migraine may experience a bilateral headache. Migraine is a brain disorders that typically involve issues of the typical sensory processing that takes place in the brainstem. Possible causation has been linked to issues in blood vessels, blood flow, and oxygen levels in the brain. Migraine can be described in three phases, and common throughout the three phases is the importance of the neuropeptide CGRP and its role in migraine pathogenesis. CGRP increases in plasma have been linked to migraine headaches, and specific treatment plans have been tailored to account for this. CGRP is a vasodilator that causes dilation of cranial blood vessels and can lead to possible neurogenic inflammation in the periphery of its release while activating the pain pathway in the brainstem. The primary treatment for migraines is currently drugs from the triptan family and NSAIDs, as well as prophylactic drugs including antiepileptic drugs, beta-blockers, and Ca2+ channel blockers. The experiment conducted for this project aimed to determine the effects of a specific CGRP polyclonal antibody and CGRP receptor antagonist when it is with capsaicin, which stimulates sensory nerves. In an ex-vivo experiment using cell culture medium, the dura mater of mice is given either rabbit polyclonal antibody or a CGRP receptor antagonist or both, and then is challenged with capsaicin. CGRP positive (expressing) fibers and nerve terminals are examined under a fluorescent microscope in the dura mater of the mice.

Notes

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Thesis Completion

2015

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Samsam, Mohtashem

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

College

College of Medicine

Department

Biomedical Sciences

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Medicine; Medicine -- Dissertations, Academic

Format

PDF

Identifier

CFH0004823

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

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