Tryptophan levels and metabolism are linked to migraines
Multiple clinical and experimental studies indicate that tryptophan levels and its metabolic routes—particularly the kynurenine pathway—are significantly altered in migraine patients and play an important role in the disorder's neuroinflammatory and glutamatergic pathophysiology.
The retrieved papers consistently point to a strong link between tryptophan metabolism (specifically through the kynurenine pathway and its neuroactive byproducts) and migraines, demonstrated across pediatric clinical studies, mechanistic reviews, and gut-brain axis research. There are no papers refuting this connection.
Şeyma Sönmez Şahin, Esra Paydaş Hataysal, E. Karatoprak, Fadime Ovalı, Ayşegül Özel, F. Durankuş, H. Vatansev. Tryptophan metabolism in children with migraine: The role of kynurenine pathway.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104359
A pediatric clinical study found that specific kynurenine pathway metabolites and the KYN/TRP ratio were significantly altered in children with migraine.
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F. Nicoletti. Kynurenine pathway metabolites in migraine. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1186/1129-2377-16-S1-A1
This review highlights how tryptophan metabolites, specifically through kynurenine pathways, interact with glutamate receptors to influence central nervous system functions relevant to migraine pathophysiology.
M. Fila, Jan Chojnacki, M. Derwich, C. Chojnacki, E. Pawłowska, J. Błasiak. Tryptophan metabolism in migraine: a review of experimental and clinical studies and a need to enhance research strategies. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1515/revneuro-2025-0008
The review details how multiple pathways of tryptophan metabolism produce neuroactive substances associated with migraines via inflammatory and glutamatergic mechanisms.
Körtési T, Vágvölgyi-Sümegi E, Ajkay-Donáth L, Nagy-Grócz G, Tajti J, Vécsei L. [New perspectives in the treatment of migraine: the role of the kynurenine pathway in the pathophysiology of migraine].. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1556/650.2025.33327
Clinical and experimental studies indicate that tryptophan's kynurenine pathway is heavily involved in regulating glutamatergic mechanisms and maintaining a delicate balance of neuroprotective and neurotoxic molecules during migraines.
Michal Fila, Cezary Chojnacki, Jan Chojnacki, Janusz Blasiak. Therapeutic Potential of the Kynurenine Pathway of Tryptophan Metabolism in Abdominal Migraine. 2023. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202308.0760.v1
This study connects disruptions in tryptophan and kynurenine metabolism to abdominal migraines via gut-brain axis impairments.
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