Molecular triggers of migraine aura: A systematic review of human pharmacological provocation studies

channels by levcromakalim elicited aura in 14 (27%) of 52 participants in randomized crossover trials, with onset between 20 and 120 min. Other agents produced minimal or no aura responses.ConclusionsHuman pharmacological provocation provides a reproducible framework for dissecting molecular pathways that can trigger migraine aura. Current evidence implicates CGRP signaling and vascular ATP-sensitive potassium channel activation as the most plausible associated candidate pathways. However, standardized protocols and larger controlled studies are required to confirm these mechanisms and refine experimental models of aura biology.Trial RegistrationPROSPERO (ID: CRD420250636266).