The REM sleep phase appears to have a significant impact on chronic migraines. Sleep deprivation disrupts the levels of key proteins that facilitate the onset of migraine.
Paul L. Dunham and his team at the University of Missouri’s Center for Biomedical and Life Sciences understood the mechanism by which sleep disturbance increases the risk of, and may even be the cause of, migraines.
Previous clinical studies have shown that there is a link between sleep quality and headaches. Therefore, we use an established model of sleep disorders to measure the level of proteins that lowers the activation threshold of the nervous system involved in transmitting pain during migraines. We found that REM sleep disturbance increased the uptake of p38 and P2X3 proteins, which play an important role in initiating and maintaining chronic pain, Dr. Dunham said.
REM sleep is the second phase of sleep, also known as light sleep. It is in this phase that dreams occur and the muscles are completely relaxed. REM disorders can also lead to states similar to psychosis, hallucinations and paranoid states.
So little is known about the biological mechanisms that underlie the triggers for migraine attacks, said David Dodick, director of the US migraine association. Dodick emphasizes that Dunham’s research is a significant discovery.
The migraine research findings were announced at a Los Angeles science convention on headaches. (PAP)