Migraines are episodic, typically unilateral, throbbing headaches that occur more frequently in patients with allergy and asthma implying crucial involvement of meningeal and/or brain mast cells.

In migraine patients mast cells are located peri-vascularly, in close association with neurons especially in the dura, where they are activated by trigeminal nerves, as well as, cervical or sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation.
Activated brain mast cells secrete vasoactive, proinflammatory, and neuro-sensitizing mediators (e.g. IL-6, VEGF, CRH etc.) which are known to precipiate or exacerbate migraines. Typical triggers of Migraines such as physical (sunstroke), emotional (fear of exam failure), molecular (oxidative stress), or stress clearly indicate that these triggers lead to activated mast cells. Mast cells are known to be strongly activated by physical (temperature, pressure), emotional and molecular triggers.

Our MCS1 small molecules that inhibit mast cell activation with individual dosing in relation to clinical symptoms have the potential to bring relief to many migraine patients.