Migraine: disease characterisation, biomarkers, and precision medicine

Lancet. 2021 Apr 17;397(10283):1496-1504. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32162-0. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Abstract

Migraine is a disabling neurological disorder, diagnosis of which is based on clinical criteria. A shortcoming of these criteria is that they do not fully capture the heterogeneity of migraine, including the underlying genetic and neurobiological factors. This complexity has generated momentum for biomarker research to improve disease characterisation and identify novel drug targets. In this Series paper, we present the progress that has been made in the search for biomarkers of migraine within genetics, provocation modelling, biochemistry, and neuroimaging research. Additionally, we outline challenges and future directions for each biomarker modality. We also discuss the advances made in combining and integrating data from multiple biomarker modalities. These efforts contribute to developing precision medicine that can be applied to future patients with migraine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Genetic Markers
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders / classification
  • Migraine Disorders / diagnosis
  • Migraine Disorders / genetics
  • Migraine Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Neuroimaging
  • Precision Medicine

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Genetic Markers