Migraine pathogenesis and the role of CGRP – hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is a small structure, located at the base of the forebrain, comprising several distinct nuclei.^{[Purves et al., 2018]} It has multiple functions related to maintaining homeostasis, including controlling blood flow, regulating energy metabolism, and coordinating responses to threatening conditions via regulation of stress hormone release.^{[Purves et al., 2018]} Although the role of the hypothalamus in migraine is unclear, some aspects of the premonitory phase suggest involvement of the hypothalamus.^{[Chen et al., 2019; Charles, 2018; Maniyar et al., 2014]}

References:
Charles A. The pathophysiology of migraine: implications for clinical management. Lancet Neurol 2018; 17 (2): 174–182.

Chen Z, Chen X, Liu M, et al. Volume of hypothalamus as a diagnostic biomarker of chronic migraine. Front Neurol 2019; 10: 606.

Maniyar FH, Sprenger T, Monteith T, et al. Brain activations in the premonitory phase of nitroglycerin-triggered migraine attacks. Brain 2014; 137 (Pt 1): 232–241.

Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, et al. Neuroscience, 6^th edition. New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 2018.