Summary
| Direction in Migraine | ↓ Reduced — lower than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Other |
| Compared against | healthy state (during migraine attack vs. baseline/non-migraine) |
| Associated symptoms | migraine attack |
| Source | Villalón et al. 2003 — doi:10.2174/1570161033386826 |
| Condition atlas | Migraine Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where Serotonin is reported
- Serotonin in Long COVID — ↑ elevated vs HC
See the cross-condition hub: Serotonin across conditions.
Related Other markers in Migraine
- Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP-38) ↕
- Serum Ferritin ↓
- Interleukin-6 ↑
- Homocysteine ↑
- Glutamate ↑
- 25-Hydroxyvitamin D ↓
Full list: Migraine Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Serotonin high or low in Migraine?
Reduced. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report lower Serotonin in Migraine than in healthy state (during migraine attack vs. baseline/non-migraine). Source: Villalón et al. 2003.
What symptoms is Serotonin associated with in Migraine?
The cited literature associates this marker with migraine attack. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures Serotonin?
The atlas record does not list a standardised clinical test code (LOINC) for Serotonin, which usually means it was measured with research assays or study-specific protocols rather than a routine clinical panel. Check the cited source for the exact method.
Is one abnormal Serotonin result diagnostic of Migraine?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Migraine. Serotonin findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
Is Serotonin specific to Migraine?
No. The same marker is also reported in Long COVID in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.
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Last reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Page generated from migraine.json · Browse: Migraine atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.