Inflammatory cytokines as an underlying mechanism of the comorbidity between bipolar disorder and migraine

A bi-directional association between mood disorders and migraine has been consistently reported. Nevertheless, the neurobiological substrate underlying the association between these disorders remains unknown. In the article herein we review evidence for the role of inflammatory cytokines in the neurobiology of bipolar disorder and migraine. In addition, inflammation is hypothesized to be a shared pathophysiological mechanism subserving the bipolar disorder and migraine concomitance. A derivative of this hypothesis is that pharmacological treatments primarily targeting the inflammatory system may have symptom suppressing effects in bipolar disorder.