The action of reserpine on the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine in the venous blood of migraine patients

Vasoactive amines, particularly 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT) have been implicated as the cause of migraine. Our study was a biochemical one on the effect of reserpine on the content of 5-HT, NE and E in migraneurs. The effect of one single infection of reserpine. 23 migrainous patients and 7 controls were given one i.m. injection of reserpine (1,5 mg/1.7 m2 surface). The content of 5-HT in blood platelets of 8 migraneurs and 7 controls 6 hours after the injection of reserpine decreased to comparable levels in both groups. The serotonin releasing effect of reserpine, however, is different from that of tyramine. The effect of prolonged reserpine medication. The effect of i.v. injection of reserpine over a period of 6 weeks on 5-HT, NE and E, was investigated. The doses of reserpine corresponded exactly to the doses already used by Nattero et al. (0.2 mg reserpine 3 times a week for 6 weeks). In correspondance with this work a double blind clinical examination was carried out by Nattero et al. (1975). Blood amine levels were measured weekly. The NE decreased to a minimum of 62% of basal mean value after 3-7 weeks of treatment. The decrease is significant from the third to the sixth week. Basal value was not reached until 6 weeks after withdrawal of reserpine. The concentration of 5-HT in blood platelets decreased to 5% of basal mean value and remained low during the reserpine treatment. The decrease is highly significant. A clinical improvement began 1-2 weeks after the introduction of reserpine treatment, continued during treatment and for 2-6 weeks after. In the open trial performed by us, we can confirm the results of Nattero et al. We demonstrated a marked decrease in concentration of blood amines corresponding to clinical improvement.