ergotamine

n. an alkaloid drug (an ergot derivative) used in the treatment of vascular headaches, including migraines. The exact nature of its therapeutic action is unknown, but ergotamine is believed to constrict the dilated cranial blood vessels responsible for headache symptoms. U.S. trade name (among others): Cafergot.

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Psychology term of the day

July 27th 2024

trinucleotide repeat

a contiguous repetition of the same three nucleotides within a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA). The occurrence of extra trinucleotide repeats in certain genes causes dysfunction, inluding Huntington’s disease and fragile X syndrome.