Relationship of Plasma Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-38 (PACAP-38) Levels with Cerebrovascular Vasomotor Reactivity in Chronic Migraine Sufferers

Introduction: Migraine is a complex health problem and causes disability, especially in women. The current pathophysiology of migraine is a combination of vascular, neurogenic, and neuroinflammatory theories. PACAP-38 is a vasoactive neuropeptide that increases during migraine attacks. Endothelial dysfunction results in impaired vasomotor reactivity. Analysis of vasomotor reactivity is determined by measuring the breath-holding index (BHI) and migraine vascular index (MVI), where there is a decrease in vasomotor reactivity values ??in migraine sufferers. This study aims to determine PACAP-38 levels in chronic migraine sufferers and their relationship to cerebrovascular vasomotor reactivity. Methods: This research is a comparative study (cross-sectional) that is carried out in hospitals and health centers spread across the city of Padang from May 2022 to June 2023. The research sample consisted of 30 chronic migraine sufferers and 30 healthy controls. Vasomotor reactivity was assessed by determining BHI and MVI values ??using transcranial Doppler. Plasma PACAP-38 levels were measured using the ELISA method. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS. Results: The mean value of vasomotor reactivity in chronic migraine sufferers is 0.355. There is a negative correlation between the frequency and duration of migraine attacks and vasomotor reactivity (frequency p=0.032; duration p=0.022). The mean value of PACAP-38 levels in chronic migraine sufferers was 6.15 pg/ml, and in healthy controls, 4.85 pg/ml; there was a significant difference between plasma PACAP-38 levels in chronic migraine sufferers compared to healthy controls. However, there was no significant difference between plasma PACAP-38 levels and vasomotor reactivity in chronic migraine sufferers. Conclusion: There is an increase in plasma PACAP-38 levels in chronic migraine sufferers, but there is no significant relationship between plasma PACAP-38 levels and vasomotor reactivity values.