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It is suggested that a primary abnormality of platelet function can account for the diverse clinical, biochemical, and pathological findings reported in migraine.

A highly significant decrease in platelet monoamine-oxidase activity has been observed in migrainous subjects during a migraine attack compared with activity outside an attack. The effect did not derive from drugs commonly used in migraine therapy.

Platelet-monoamine-oxidase activity predicts treatment response to lithium in manic-depressive illness. In the treatment-responsive group enzyme activity is similar to that in normal controls, whereas in the treatment-refractory group enzyme activity is significantly less than both control and treatment-responsive groups.