Asghar, Mohammad SohailBecerra, LinoLarsson, Henrik B. W.Borsook, DavidAshina, Messoud2016-04-012016Asghar, Mohammad Sohail, Lino Becerra, Henrik B. W. Larsson, David Borsook, and Messoud Ashina. 2016. “Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Modulates Heat Nociception in the Human Brain - An fMRI Study in Healthy Volunteers.” PLoS ONE 11 (3): e0150334. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0150334. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0150334.1932-6203http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:26318602Background: Intravenous infusion of calcitonin-gene-related-peptide (CGRP) provokes headache and migraine in humans. Mechanisms underlying CGRP-induced headache are not fully clarified and it is unknown to what extent CGRP modulates nociceptive processing in the brain. To elucidate this we recorded blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) signals in the brain by functional MRI after infusion of CGRP in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of 27 healthy volunteers. BOLD-signals were recorded in response to noxious heat stimuli in the V1-area of the trigeminal nerve. In addition, we measured BOLD-signals after injection of sumatriptan (5-HT1B/1D antagonist). Results: Brain activation to noxious heat stimuli following CGRP infusion compared to baseline resulted in increased BOLD-signal in insula and brainstem, and decreased BOLD-signal in the caudate nuclei, thalamus and cingulate cortex. Sumatriptan injection reversed these changes. Conclusion: The changes in BOLD-signals in the brain after CGRP infusion suggests that systemic CGRP modulates nociceptive transmission in the trigeminal pain pathways in response to noxious heat stimuli.en-USMedicine and Health SciencesPathology and Laboratory MedicineSigns and SymptomsHeadachesMigraineBiology and Life SciencesNeuroscienceBrain MappingFunctional Magnetic Resonance ImagingDiagnostic MedicineDiagnostic RadiologyMagnetic Resonance ImagingImaging TechniquesRadiology and ImagingNeuroimagingPhysiologySensory PhysiologySomatosensory SystemPain SensationSensory SystemsAnatomyBrainBrainstemThalamusCingulate CortexCerebral CortexCerebellumJournal Article2016-04-0110.1371/journal.pone.0150334