1. Introduction
Migraine is a neurological condition that causes moderate to severe throbbing or pulsating pain on usually one side of the head, along with sensitivity to light, sound, smell, or touch, nausea, and/or vomiting [
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7]. The exact cause of migraines remains incompletely understood, but a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors contribute to their development and occurrence within individuals [
8]. Migraine triggers can exhibit significant variations among individuals and may encompass diverse factors such as stress, hormonal fluctuations, certain diets, and disturbances in sleep patterns [
9]. Identifying and managing triggers can be crucial in preventing the onset of migraine attacks and reducing their frequency, duration, and severity [
10]. Migraines are complex neurological disorders that can significantly impact individuals’ quality of life [
11,
12]. Comprehending the distinct stages, symptoms, triggers, and treatment options is fundamental for healthcare professionals and researchers, as it facilitates enhanced management and support for individuals affected by migraines [
10].
Neuropeptides like calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP)/amylin, substance P, and adrenomedullin (ADM) have been linked to the cause of migraines [
13,
14,
15,
16,
17,
18]. Notably, the secretin family of peptides is a group of evolutionarily related peptide hormones that control the activity of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). This group includes CGRP, PACAP, ADM, and amylin, which share homology, receptor cross-reactivity, and similar biological actions that suggest they belong in this family (Table 1) [
19]. These neuropeptides play various roles in migraine pathogenesis and contribute to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the disorder [
20,
21].
Figure 1.
The amino acid sequence alignment analysis of the main secretin family peptides. Those amino acids with matching hues are identical amino acid sequences. The alignment similarity between peptides is displayed as a percentage next to the brackets.
Figure 1.
The amino acid sequence alignment analysis of the main secretin family peptides. Those amino acids with matching hues are identical amino acid sequences. The alignment similarity between peptides is displayed as a percentage next to the brackets.
CGRP and PACAP are two neuropeptides that have been extensively studied in the pathogenesis of migraine [
22,
23,
24]. Both CGRP and PACAP are released in conjunction with migraine and cluster headache attacks and are potent vasodilators that can cause migraine-like attacks when infused into people. The activity of spinal trigeminal neurons is a sensitive measure of trigeminal activity [
25,
26]. In the spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC), the central terminals of trigeminal afferents release CGRP. Experiments have shown that CGRP helps send pain signals, most likely through presynaptic action. Experiments show that when the trigeminovascular system (TS) is activated, the expression of both CGRP and PACAP goes up at the same time in the central part of the system. This affects the formation of mechanical hyperalgesia [
27,
28]. PACAP and CGRP share similar vasodilatory and nociceptive functions, but PACAP is likely to play a similar but distinct role as CGRP based on similarities and differences observed in both clinical and preclinical studies [
29,
30]. In rodent models, the PACAP pathway appears to be independent of the CGRP pathway, suggesting that CGRP and PACAP act in parallel ways that cause a migraine-like symptom [
31]. In addition to CGRP and PACAP, other neuropeptides have been implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine (Table 1). In patients suffering from migraine, the concentration of CGRP in the peripheral blood is increased during migraine attacks compared with the interictal period [
32]. A very similar observation has recently been made for PACAP as well, suggesting a potential biomarker function of this peptide in migraine [
33]. The intravenous administration of the 38-amino acid form of PACAP (PACAP1–38) caused headaches and dilated blood vessels in both healthy participants and migraine sufferers, but only in migraine sufferers did it delay attacks that were similar to migraines [
34,
35,
36]. Additionally, the infusion of 27-amino acid form of PACAP variant, PACAP1–27, triggers migraine attacks without aura [
37].
VIP is a neuropeptide mainly found in the trigeminal nerve. VIP levels are altered in individuals experiencing migraines, with levels increasing during a migraine attack, leading to blood vessel dilation, which is considered an essential mechanism in the development of migraines [
38]. VIP influences the release of other neurotransmitters implicated in migraines, including serotonin and CGRP [
39,
40]. VIP is also involved in regulating inflammatory responses and modulating the immune system [
41]. VIP's immunomodulatory properties may play a role in reducing inflammation and suppressing the release of pain-inducing molecules. Furthermore, VIP has been implicated in regulating the sensitivity of neurons to pain signals, potentially influencing the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks [
42].
A new class of drugs has been developed to treat and prevent migraines by targeting CGRP ligands and receptors. This class of drugs includes CGRP receptor antagonists such as atogepant, rimegepant, and ubrogepant, humanized CGRP ligand monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) such as eptinezumab, fremanezumab, and galcanezumab, and hu-man CGRP receptor mAb erenumab [
43,
44]. Triptans and lasmiditan, which are serotonergic pharmacons, are used for the treatment of acute attacks, while gepants are used for both treating acute attacks and their prevention, and CGRP receptor mAbs are used for prevention [
45,
46,
47]. CGRP ligand-targeting mAbs are indicated for the prevention of both episodic and chronic migraines in adults.
CGRP receptor antagonists such as gepants and CGRP-targeting mAbs are promising treatments for migraines, but there are some downsides to consider [
48,
49]. These include low efficacy, tolerance rate, cost, side effects, and the need for further research to determine their long-term safety. While CGRP-targeting mAbs and CGRP receptor antagonists have shown efficacy in reducing the frequency of migraine attacks, they may not work for everyone and may not work as well as other preventive treatments. Some patients may develop a tolerance to these drugs over time, which can reduce their effectiveness [
50,
51]. Additionally, these drugs can be expensive, and insurance coverage may be limited [
52]. While generally well tolerated, CGRP-targeting mAbs can cause side effects such as injection site reactions and constipation, while the gepants can cause nausea [
53].
Humans typically experience migraines, but preclinical research using animal models leads clinical research by revealing the interaction of genetic and environmental factors as well as pathological alterations that contribute to neurological disorders and neuropsychiatric conditions, including migraine [
54,
55,
56,
57,
58,
59,
60,
61,
62,
63,
64,
65]. These models simulate disease conditions, allowing for the identification of pathogenic processes, the evaluation of symptoms and comorbidities, and the discovery of interventions, including pharmacotherapy [
66,
67,
68,
69,
70,
71,
72]. The integration of preclinical and clinical research contributes to the creation of innovative therapeutics and personalized medicine [
73,
74,
75,
76]. This narrative review introduces the topic of migraine pathophysiology and the need for new therapeutic targets for migraine treatment, providing an overview of the current understanding of migraine pathophysiology and highlighting the potential of PACAP ligands and receptors as a novel target for migraine treatment. Emphasizing the importance of further research to fully elucidate the role of PACAP in migraine pathophysiology and to develop targeted therapies for individuals suffering from migraines, The review also discusses the data implicating the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide 1 (PAC1) receptor as a future drug target in migraine and examines several potential emerging therapeutic targets, including PACAP1-38, a specific form of PACAP. Furthermore, it explores the similarities between PACAP and VIP, the latter of which is involved in sleep regulation and circadian rhythm, suggesting that PACAP may be a key neuropeptide involved in migraines. Overall, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on migraine pathophysiology and the potential of PACAP as a therapeutic target for migraine treatment.
3. Discussion
This review paper aims to provide insights into the roles of PACAP in migraine by comparing its actions with those of VIP. By analyzing existing studies, this paper hopes to shed light on the pathophysiology of migraine and pave the way towards more effective treatments. The ultimate goal of this review is to explore the potential of developing antimigraine drugs that target the PACAP pathways. Identifying and producing new ways to target the PACAP system may provide an alternative therapeutic option for migraine sufferers. The authors aim to consolidate the current evidence on the PACAP system's role in migraines and evaluate potential drug targets within the pathway, hoping to pave the way for more extensive research to develop new and effective antimigraine drugs that target the PACAP pathways.
The PACAP system presents a significant challenge when it comes to targeted therapies due to its pleiotropic roles in the body, both physiologically and pathologically. PACAP plays crucial roles in various aspects of the body, such as neural development, pain regulation, immune functions, and stress responses. These diverse roles make the PACAP system difficult to target effectively without affecting other physiological functions. Furthermore, PACAP signaling is often dysregulated in pathological conditions such as inflammatory disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancers. Conversely, PACAP has been shown to have protective effects in certain diseases, such as ischemic stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Thus, finding a balance between targeting the PACAP system to treat diseases while preserving its physiological functions remains a significant challenge in the field of medicine.
The PACAP system has emerged as a potential target for the treatment of migraine, especially after the discovery of the role of CGRP and its receptors in the pathophysiology of migraine. PACAP, a neuropeptide similar to CGRP, is highly expressed in the TS, which is the neural network that is responsible for migraine pain. PACAP receptors have been found to be co-localized with CGRP receptors in the TS, suggesting that the two systems could be acting in a synergistic manner to induce migraine pain. Therefore, targeting the PACAP system could provide an additional therapeutic approach for the treatment of migraine, and several drugs that inhibit PACAP or its receptors are currently under development.
The present review holds notable significance in shedding light on the critical role of PACAP in comparison with other neuropeptides like CGRP and VIP, which have been extensively studied as potential therapeutic targets for various neurological disorders. By thoroughly analyzing the preclinical studies, the review highlights the promising findings that suggest the potential translation of PACAP's therapeutic benefits from laboratory settings to clinical practice. The authors' critical evaluation and systematic compilation of the latest research on PACAP is bound to have a relevant impact on the scientific community and serve as a foundation for further clinical research. Ultimately, the knowledge and insights gained from this review will be instrumental in developing advanced treatments for a range of debilitating neurological conditions.
The review also highlights limitations and challenges in PACAP research, such as the complexity of its signaling mechanism, variations in its effects on different cell types, and the limited availability of specific antibodies against PACAP and its receptors. The high cost of producing PACAP analogs and the lack of standardized protocols for their synthesis and purification are also limitations. These challenges and limitations make it difficult to fully understand the mechanisms of PACAP action and to develop effective therapeutic interventions.
The development of PACAP-based therapeutics for migraines will focus on two main approaches: targeting PACAP ligands and receptors. Studies using animal models of migraines have demonstrated that blocking the PACAP receptor reduces migraine symptoms, while inhibiting PACAP signaling reduces pain sensitivity. Currently, clinical trials are underway to assess the safety and effectiveness of various PACAP-based drugs for migraines in humans. PACAP-based therapies may offer an alternative to current treatments by targeting the underlying mechanisms of the disorder and reducing the risk of side effects. In addition, the role of additional secretin family peptides, ADM, and amylin in the pathogenesis of migraine remains to be investigated. Further research in this area could lead to the development of better treatments for migraines.
The future direction of migraine research holds great promise for advancing our understanding of this complex neurological disorder. The combination of preclinical and clinical data, along with computational tools, has provided invaluable insights into various aspects of diseases, including neurological and psychiatric disorders [
156,
157,
158,
159,
160,
161,
162,
163,
164,
165,
166,
167,
168,
169,
170,
171,
172,
173]. The use of preclinical models and clinical studies has shed light on the underlying mechanisms of migraine. These studies have contributed to the identification of structural and functional changes in the brain that occur in neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as migraine attacks [
174,
175,
176,
177,
178,
179,
180]. Understanding these changes is crucial for developing targeted treatments and improving diagnosis.
Migraine is not just a pain disorder, but it is also interrelated to emotional and cognitive domains [
181]. Migraine is commonly linked with a broad range of psychiatric comorbidities, especially among subjects with migraine with aura or chronic migraine [
182]. The comorbidity between neurological and psychiatric disorders likely suggests multiple causes, such as unidirectional causal explanations or shared environmental and/or genetic risk factors, communication with other parts of the body, and their interaction on multiple levels [
183,
184,
185,
186,
187,
188,
189,
190,
191,
192,
193,
194,
195,
196,
197]. Emotional distress is commonly recognized as a migraine trigger, and being affected by psychiatric disorders is considered an independent modifiable factor of progression toward chronification of migraine and a tendency to medication overuse [
198]. Therefore, revealing the mechanisms of comorbidity between migraine and psychiatric disorders may lead to a clue to migraine prevention and management. Many biological and neural aspects related to the comorbidity still need to be clearly elucidated to better approach the real nature of the association between migraine and psychiatric disorders.
The integration of computational tools in migraine research has allowed for the testing and evaluation of potential treatments. These tools enable researchers to simulate the effects of different interventions, including brain stimulation and assess their therapeutic efficacy [
199,
200,
201,
202,
203]. This approach holds promise for the development of novel and more effective migraine treatments. Advanced imaging techniques have played a crucial role in migraine research. Neuroimaging studies have revealed structural and functional brain changes associated with migraine [
204,
205,
206,
207,
208,
209,
210,
211]. These imaging techniques provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of the disorder and can help identify unique clinical cases. The use of human brain organoids in migraine research is an emerging area of study [
209]. Brain organoids are three-dimensional models that mimic the structure and function of the human brain [
213]. They can be used to investigate altered neuronal pathways, protein expression, and metabolic pathways associated with migraines [
214,
215]. This approach offers a unique opportunity to study the disease in a more physiologically relevant system.
Author Contributions
For research articles with several authors, a short paragraph specifying their individual contributions must be provided. The following statements should be used “Conceptualization, M.T. and L.V.; methodology, N/A; software, N/A; validation, N/A; formal analysis, N/A.; investigation, N/A; resources, N/A; data curation, N/A; writing—original draft preparation, M.T.; writing—review and editing, M.T., Á.S.,T.K., D.S. J.T., and L.V; visualization, Á.S. and T.K.; supervision, J.T. and L.V.; project administration, L.V.; funding acquisition, L.v. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.”