Migraine and Evolution
Analyzing evolutionary processes with regards to disease is more than an academic exercise. Taking evolution into account is vital for a complete understanding of the disease. Interpreting the evolutionary underpinnings of illness may help us in developing safe and effective treatments.
Migraine and Evolution
Evolution and migraine are discussed in the outstanding article “Did Going North Give Us Migraine”.1 The accompanying editorial, “Toward a Philosophy of Migraine” is remarkably thought provoking.2 Analyzing evolutionary processes with regards to disease is more than an academic exercise. Taking evolution into account is vital for a complete understanding of the disease. Interpreting the evolutionary underpinnings of illness may help us in developing safe and effective treatments.
Chaos, Migraine, and Evolution
Chaotic dynamics play a role in migraine pathophysiology. Chaos also has been a factor in the dynamics of evolution. Humans remain remarkably vulnerable to migraine, with evolutionary factors being the primary reason.
The central nervous system, from the ionic level to neural networks, utilizes chaotic dynamics to some degree. Cortical spreading depression, an integral part of migraine with aura, is likely under chaotic control to some degree. Peripheral and central sensitization are primary pathophysiologic processes in the generation of migraine attacks. These also use chaotic dynamics, at least to some degree.
The Theory of Evolution: Historical Objections in the Time of Darwin
NOTE: this was written for my University of Michigan freshman biology class; at the time, I did research in the OLD Graduate Library, and dusted off the old books from the 1890’s. There was no internet for research. Regarding objections to Evolution, I had no idea at the time that creationism, for example, would be resurrected decades later as a “real” concept. When I wrote this 48 years ago, there were not many objections to Darwin.