Naratriptan mitigates CGRP1-associated motor neuron degeneration caused by an expanded polyglutamine repeat tract

Spinal and bulbar musclar atrophy (SBMA) is caused by expanded polyglutamine repeats in the androgen receptor, leading to motor neuron degeneration. Gen Sobue and his colleagues describe a molecular cascade whereby mutant androgen receptor upregulates CGRP in neuronal cells, promoting JNK activation and degeneration. The 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist naratriptan, which is approved for the treatment of migraine, decreases CGRP expression and improves motor performance in a mouse model of SBMA, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy for SBMA.