5HT1F- and 5HT7-receptor agonists for the treatment of migraines

CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2007 Aug;6(4):235-7. doi: 10.2174/187152707781387242.

Abstract

Serotonin was the first neurotransmitter believed to be involved in cephalic pain transfer forward to the cortex, but the precise mechanism was confirmed only after sumatriptan, a 5-HT(1B/1D0) high affinity agonist, was introduced in the acute treatment of migraine. Although very efficient for migraine relief, activation of 5-HT(1B) receptor may also cause vasoconstriction outside brain, within the heart arteries for example. Unlike 5-HT(1B), the 5-HT(1D) receptor is not located in vascular tissues but exclusively within neuronal, but high affinity agonists for 5-HT(1D) failed to prove clinical significance in randomized trials. The recent clone of 5-HT(1F) receptor together with data showing that sumatriptan exerts high affinity for this receptor subtype generated high expectations. Potent agonists for 5-HT(1F) receptors were effective in animal models for migraine and later clinical trials showed efficacy even in humans, introducing the first line future anti-migraine drugs. Apart from 5-HT(1F), another new cloned 5-HT subtype receptor, the 5-HT(7) also attracts attention. Recently developed and clinically tested selective 5HT(7) antagonists SB-269970-A and SB-656104-A suggest that the receptor may play a role in other CNS disorders including anxiety and cognitive disturbances, suggesting a potential role for the migraine prophylaxis. These data and speculations are discussed in details in this paper with special references.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1F
  • Receptors, Serotonin / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Serotonin / genetics
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists
  • serotonin 7 receptor