Citation

The main objective of this thesis was to examine the involvement of the centrally projecting Edinger-Westphal nucleus in migraine pathogenesis. First, we examined the anatomical evidence to support our hypothesis, moreover, we initially utilized a nitroglycerin-induced migraine mouse model. However, when we examined the acute neuronal activation of this brain area, both nitroglycerin and vehicle (containing alcohol) treatment resulted in a strong activation of the neurons. Therefore, considering the high sensitivity of Edinger-Westphal nucleus to alcohol and taking into account that the vehicle of all commercially available nitroglicerin preparations contains alcohol, we decided to investigate this brain area in an alternative mouse model of migraine (calcitonin gene-related peptide model). Additionally, based on our unexpected results in nitroglicerin-induced migraine model, our focus turned to the role of this brain area in alcohol consumption. The thesis shows the first step of this study: the examination of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus in a mouse model of acute alcohol exposure. In our ongoing project we are managing a free-choice chronic alcohol consumption model, to shed light on the possible role of this brain area in alcohol addiction.