ATP sensitive potassium (K) channel inhibition: A promising new drug target for migraine.

Background: Recently, the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) sensitive potassium channel opener levcromakalim was shown to induce migraine attacks with a far higher incidence than any previous provoking agent such as calcitonin gene-related peptide. Here, we show efficacy of ATP sensitive potassium channel inhibitors in two validated rodent models of migraine.

Methods: In female spontaneous trigeminal allodynic rats, the sensitivity of the frontal region of the head was tested by an electronic von Frey filament device.