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There is increasing evidence that melatonin secretion and pineal function are related to headache disorders. Altered melatonin levels have been found in cluster headache, migraine with and without aura,1 menstrual migraine,2 and chronic migraine.3
A great variety of melatonin mechanisms may be linked to headache pathophysiology.3 Melatonin may have anti-inflammatory effect, it scavenges toxic free radicals, reduces the up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines, and inhibits nitric oxide synthase activity and dopamine release. It also interferes with membrane stabilization, γ-aminobutyric acid and opioid analgesia potentiation, protection from glutamate neurotoxicity, neurovascular regulation, and serotonin modulation. Melatonin and indomethacin share similar chemical structure.4 Melatonin is then a possible candidate for migraine prevention. We tested the hypothesis of the potential effectiveness of melatonin for migraine prophylaxis.
Methods.
We performed an open-label trial of melatonin, 3 mg, for migraine prevention. Forty patients with episodic migraine with or without aura according to the International …
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