December 1, 2025

Striking findings on the relationship between migraine and energy metabolism were announced at the 1st International Neuronal Energy Dynamics Congress held in Ankara.

At the congress organized by the Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Center of Excellence (NÖROM), experts emphasized that migraine is not merely a headache but a complex neurological condition associated with disruptions in the brain’s energy production, and a disease directly linked to the gut.

Delivering the opening speech, the Council of Higher Education’s (CoHE) Executive Board Member and NÖROM Director Prof. Hayrunnisa Bolay Belen stated that studies conducted at NÖROM have shown, for the first time, increased intestinal permeability and previously unidentified molecular changes in migraine models. Belen said, “At the root of migraine lie deficiencies in mitochondrial energy production. The findings show that migraine is not only a disorder of the brain, but one related to the energy system of the entire body. Therefore, migraine should be considered as an energy imbalance of the whole system.”

Affecting 1.5 billion people worldwide and the most common brain disorder among individuals under 50, migraine is now being reconsidered through the lens of the gut–brain relationship thanks to NÖROM’s new findings.

Gut-related problems linked to migraine

According to NÖROM’s research results, chronic migraine patients exhibit elevated CGRP levels, disruptions in the gut microbiota, and increased intestinal permeability. These findings indicate that migraine is shaped not only within the brain but also through the gut–brain axis.

Scientists from Spain, Germany, Sweden, China, and Italy presented their latest research on migraine mechanisms at the congress. The presentations covered neuronal energy dynamics, mitochondrial functioning, the gut–brain axis, molecular changes in pain pathways, and multidisciplinary approaches.

Advanced imaging data revealed that even during headache-free periods, migraine patients show higher-than-normal cortical energy consumption; at the same time, cells display reduced energy levels and increased oxidative stress.

Cajal Year: Exhibition of Cajal’s Original Brain Drawings Opened at NÖROM

As part of the congress, and with the support of the Embassy of Spain and the Cajal Institute, a special exhibition showcasing Santiago Ramón y Cajal’s original neuron and brain drawings was also opened at NÖROM. The exhibition, which will remain open to visitors for three months, included a special session titled “Cajal and the Discovery of the Neuronal Forest in the Brain.” The exhibition bridges the legacy of Cajal—considered the founder of modern neuroscience—with contemporary research.

About NÖROM

The Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Center of Excellence is Türkiye’s first and only interdisciplinary neuroscience center that opens its doors to national and international researchers working across a broad spectrum—from clinical neuroscience to computational neuroscience, from molecular neurobiology to artificial intelligence research.

Established under the leadership of the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) and powered by the joint expertise of Gazi University, Middle East Technical University, and Ankara University, the center conducts innovative research aimed at understanding brain disorders and developing new therapeutic approaches.