A study from University of Iowa has been able to identify a small protein called RAMP1.

Too much of this protein seem to "turn up the volume" of a nerve cell receptor's response to a neuropeptide - called CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) - that can cause migraines, which probably explains why some people get migraines while others do not.

According to previous studies, high levels of CGRP have been found in the blood during migraines and anti-migraine drugs usually work by reducing CGRP levels or blocking its action to significantly reduce pains associated with migraine.

According to Andrew Russo, Ph.D., UI professor of molecular physiology and biophysics:

"We have shown that this RAMP protein is a key regulator for the action of CGRP. Our study suggests that people who get migraines may have higher levels of RAMP1 than people who don't get migraines.

There is clearly a genetic difference between people who get migraines and those who do not, and we think that difference could be RAMP1. Our studies provide a reason to look for variations in the DNA that encodes RAMP1 in humans."

These findings can be used in the development of a good model in studying migraine.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, study results have been published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

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[article abstract]