[Vascular headache, thrombopenia and serotonin metabolism].

The role of platelet serotonin in migraine remains a subject of controversy. However, the frequency of association of migraine with antibody-mediated thrombocytopenia would suggest that platelet dysfunction or impaired serotonin metabolism might play a role in migrainous attack. We report three new cases, two involving chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenia and one lupus. The observation of high levels of anti-platelet antibodies in close correlation with the occurrence of attacks suggests that the Serotonin Releasing Factor (SRF) could be concerned. This was suspected previously on the basis of in vitro studies. The hypothesis that other forms of migraine might be linked to an immunopathological process involving other immunoglobulins is proposed (Acta neurol. belg., 1988, 88, 290-296).