Effect of systemic kynurenine on cortical spreading depression and its modulation by sex hormones in rat

► Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is thought to cause migraine aura symptoms. ► Administration of l-kynurenine suppresses KCl-induced CSD in rat. ► This effect is probably due to an increase of kynurenic acid levels in the cortex. ► l-kynurenine-induced CSD inhibition is more pronounced in female than in male rats. ► These results open new perspectives for preventive migraine treatment.