Methods of diagnosing and treating migraine

Abstract

The present invention provides methods of diagnosing migraine attacks and determining predisposition of an individual to the development of migraine based on sodium level in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and/or brain extracellular fluid. The invention also provides methods of treating migraine, wherein the individual is selected for treatment based in the individual's sodium level in the CSF and/or brain extracellular fluid. The CSF sodium level may be based on the sodium concentration in the saliva.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A method of treating migraine attack in an individual exhibiting one or more symptoms of migraine, comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a sodium pump inhibitor. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the sodium pump inhibitor is a steroid glycoside. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the steroid glycoside is ouabain. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the steroid glycoside is digoxin. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the sodium pump inhibitor is administered via an oral, nasal, inhalational, parental, intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal, topical, or rectal route. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the sodium pump inhibitor is administered directly into the nervous system. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the sodium pump inhibitor is administered via a intracerebral, intracventricular, intracerebroventricular, intrathecal, intracisternal, intraspinal, or perispinal route. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the sodium pump inhibitor is administered at a dose of about 1 ng to about 100 μg per kilogram body weight. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the sodium pump inhibitor is administered in combination with another anti-migraine agent.