Migraine therapy and CGRP receptor, illustration. Monoclonal antibodies (red) being used to block the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor (blue). At left, the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP, yellow) binds to its receptor (blue). This occurs on the membranes of neurons and smooth muscle cells in cerebral (brain) blood vessels, activating a signal cascade through G-proteins (dark blue, bottom) that leads to a dilatation of brain blood vessels (vasodilatation). This is a factor in disorders such as migraines. Blocking the CGRP receptor reduces the number of migraine attacks.