TOTAL 5-HYDROXYINDOLES IN BLOOD RELATED TO MIGRAINE ATTACKS

The total 5-hydroxyindoles (5-HI) in whole blood were measured in 20 migraine patients during spontaneous migraine attacks and in headache-free periods. A statistically significant fall in blood 5-HI was found during headache in 17 patients suffering from classical and common migraine. In 1 patient with complicated migraine no change was found, and in 2 patients, 1 with common migraine and 1 with migraine and associated symptoms, there was a rise in total blood 5-HI during migraine attacks. The results are compared with previous findings, and it was suggested that during migraine attacks there might be a rise in the plasma 5-HI. The possibility of using the 5-HI fall during spontaneous migraine attacks as a simple test for the diagnosis of migraine was discussed.