P. Humphrey
Apr 1, 2007
Citations
3
Influential Citations
60
Citations
Journal
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain
Abstract
The history of the scientific ideas and events that led to the discovery of sumatriptan is outlined with personal reminiscences about individuals who influenced the approach. The development of sumatriptan revolutionized the acute treatment of migraine and led to the availability of a number of other triptans. The anti‐migraine effects of all the triptans are mediated via 5‐HT1B, and possibly 5‐HT1D receptors, which transduce their effects via G; proteins. This suggests that agonists at other Gi protein‐coupled receptor types appropriately located (eg, somatostatin sst2, adenosine A1) should be examined for their effects on the trigeminovascular system, Studies on such receptor targets may provide insight into a novel approach towards the design of new anti‐migraine drugs.