A new nonvascular interpretation of syncopal migraine

Adv Neurol. 1982:33:199-208.

Abstract

Migraine suffers who experience spontaneous syncopes (syncopal migraine) during attacks exhibit a dramatic intolerance to bromocriptine, a dopamine agonist. An oral dose of this drug renders these patients unable to stand, even for some hours, because of precipitously falling of arterial blood pressure. Treatment with domperidone, a specific dopamine receptor antagonist, abolishes the syncopal effect of bromocriptine. This evidence is compatible with a supersensitivity of those dopamine receptors, which exert an inhibiting activity and are located on blood pressure regulating centers as well as on cardiovascular sympathergic neurons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Bromocriptine / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Domperidone / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypotension / chemically induced
  • Hypotension / complications
  • Male
  • Migraine Disorders / etiology*
  • Receptors, Dopamine* / drug effects
  • Syncope / etiology*

Substances

  • Receptors, Dopamine
  • Bromocriptine
  • Domperidone