Reduced threshold for cortical spreading depression in female mice.

The prevalence of migraine is much greater in female than male individuals. Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is thought to be a fundamental mechanism of migraine, and CSD in rodents is used as a model for migraine. We used optical intrinsic signal imaging and electrophysiological techniques to investigate CSD in C57Bl/6 mice. Using two different methods for induction of CSD, we found that female mice had a significantly reduced threshold for induction of CSD compared with male mice. These results suggest an increased cortical excitability in female mice that may be independent of the estrous cycle.