Flupirtine inhibits calcitonin-gene related peptide release from rat brainstem in vitro

► Investigating the site of action of flupirtine within the rat brain. ► Nerve terminals of trigeminal first-order neurons project within the brainstem. ► These nerve terminals release CGRP at the brainstem level. ► Flupirtine inhibits CGRP release from isolated rat brainstems. ► Evidence that CGRP release is inhibited by flupirtine via modulation of Kv7 channels.