scholarly journals Update on Treatment of Cluster Headache

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 113-120
Author(s):  
Jong-Hee Sohn ◽  
Mi Ji Lee ◽  
Soo-Jin Cho

Cluster headache (CH) is characterized by severe unilateral short-lasting headache attacks, accompanying ipsilateral cranial autonomic symptoms or the sense of restlessness and agitation, or both. CH is a highly disabling primary headache disorder but often not optimally treated. High-flow oxygen and parenteral triptans are the most effective treatment to treat an acute CH attack. Transitional treatments include systemic steroid therapy and sub-occipital steroid injection. For preventive therapy, verapamil and lithium are recommended as first-line treatments. Novel treatments have appeared, such as neuromodulation and medication targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or its receptor. Galcanezumab, the only anti-CGRP receptor monoclonal antibody with proven efficacy for the preventive treatment of episodic CH, represents an important advance for pharmacological treatment of CH. Neuromodulation strategies, such as the non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation and the sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation, have been proven effective in reducing the intensity and frequency of attacks, and also to be safe and well tolerated.

Author(s):  
Anna K. Eigenbrodt ◽  
Håkan Ashina ◽  
Sabrina Khan ◽  
Hans-Christoph Diener ◽  
Dimos D. Mitsikostas ◽  
...  

AbstractMigraine is a disabling primary headache disorder that directly affects more than one billion people worldwide. Despite its widespread prevalence, migraine remains under-diagnosed and under-treated. To support clinical decision-making, we convened a European panel of experts to develop a ten-step approach to the diagnosis and management of migraine. Each step was established by expert consensus and supported by a review of current literature, and the Consensus Statement is endorsed by the European Headache Federation and the European Academy of Neurology. In this Consensus Statement, we introduce typical clinical features, diagnostic criteria and differential diagnoses of migraine. We then emphasize the value of patient centricity and patient education to ensure treatment adherence and satisfaction with care provision. Further, we outline best practices for acute and preventive treatment of migraine in various patient populations, including adults, children and adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and older people. In addition, we provide recommendations for evaluating treatment response and managing treatment failure. Lastly, we discuss the management of complications and comorbidities as well as the importance of planning long-term follow-up.


Cephalalgia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (10) ◽  
pp. 1298-1312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate F Gibson ◽  
Anita Dos Santos ◽  
Nunu Lund ◽  
Rigmor Jensen ◽  
Ioannis M Stylianou

Background Cluster headache is the most severe primary headache disorder. A genetic basis has long been suggested by family and twin studies; however, little is understood about the genetic variants that contribute to cluster headache susceptibility. Methods We conducted a literature search of the MEDLINE database using the PubMed search engine to identify all human genetic studies for cluster headache. In this article we provide a review of those genetic studies, along with an overview of the pathophysiology of cluster headache and a brief review of migraine genetics, which have both been significant drivers of cluster headache candidate gene selection. Results The investigation of cluster headache genetic etiology has been dominated by candidate gene studies. Candidate selection has largely been driven by the pathophysiology, such as the striking rhythmic nature of the attacks, which spurred close examination of the circadian rhythm genes CLOCK and HCRTR2. More recently, unbiased genetic approaches such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have yielded new genetic avenues of interest including ADCYAP1R1 and MME. Conclusions The majority of candidate genes studied for cluster headache suffer from poor reproducibility. Broader genetic interrogation through larger unbiased GWAS, exome, and whole genome studies may provide more robust candidates, and in turn provide a clearer understanding of the causes of cluster headache.


Author(s):  
Peter J. Goadsby

Headache disorders are the dominant cause of neurological disability in the world and the most common reason for neurological referral in any country studied. Yet for much of the first half the twentieth century, research was mired in peripheral mechanistic sideshows. Migraine, the most common disabling primary headache disorder, has been established as primarily a brain problem, with important advances in classification, treatment, and biological understanding. Cluster headache, perhaps the most severe pain experience of humans, has found its nidus in the diencephalon; treatments are evolving and biology being unravelled. Contributions to headache disorders resonate across humanity, so important work here has a global impact for good.


Cephalalgia ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 953-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Sjöstrand ◽  
V Giedratis ◽  
K Ekbom ◽  
E Waldenlind ◽  
J Hillert

Cluster headache (CH) is a primary headache disorder where the aetiological and pathophysiological mechanisms still are largely unknown. An increased risk of CH in first- and second-degree relatives suggests the importance of genetic factors. Mutations of the P/Q type calcium channel alpha 1 subunit (CACNA1A) gene on chromosome 19p13 have been shown to cause several neurological disorders with a wide clinical spectrum, mainly episodic diseases. Missence mutations of the gene cause familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) and it is also likely to be involved in the more common forms of migraine. The CACNA1A gene is thus a promising candidate gene for CH. In this study we performed an association analysis of an intragenic polymorphic (CA)n-repeat with marker D19S1150 and a (CAG)n-repeat in the 3′UTR region, in 75 patients with CH according to IHS criteria and 108 matched controls. Genotypes and allele frequencies were similarly distributed in patients and controls. Linkage disequilibrium between the two markers was similar in patients and controls. We conclude that an importance of the CACNA1A gene in sporadic CH is unlikely.


Author(s):  
Dagny Holle ◽  
David W. Dodick

Hypnic headache (HH) is a rare primary headache disorder. Its main clinical features are strict sleep-related headache attacks that awaken patients from sleep. As headache attacks often occur at the same time at night, HH has also been referred to as ‘alarm clock headache’. Currently, 225 cases have been reported in the literature. Patients are generally older than 50 years of age at headache onset, but occurrence in younger patients and even children has been described. More women than man are affected. The headache may be bilateral or unilateral. Some migrainous features, such as nausea or photophobia, or mild cranial autonomic symptoms, such as lacrimation, may accompany HH and create diagnostic uncertainty. While most patients display some motor activity during the headache attacks, the agitation and motor restlessness that is characteristic of cluster headache does not appear. The pathophysiology of HH is still enigmatic. Hypothalamic involvement has been considered on the basis of the circadian rhythmicity, relationship with sleep, and imaging evidence of a decrease in grey matter volume within the posterior hypothalamus. Caffeine, lithium carbonate, and indomethacin may be effective for the prevention of attacks, but randomized, placebo-controlled trials are not yet available.


Author(s):  
Ilse F. de Coo ◽  
Leopoldine A. Wilbrink ◽  
Joost Haan

Cluster headache is a primary headache disorder characterized by attacks of severe-to-very severe unilateral pain, located in the orbital, supraorbital, and/or temporal regions, with ipsilateral autonomic symptoms and/or restlessness. By definition, cluster headache attacks last between 15 and 180 minutes. Based on the temporal course, cluster headache can be categorized into episodic and chronic. A subdivision can also be made in primary and secondary chronic and secondary episodic. The cause of cluster headache is unknown, but probably the hypothalamus, trigeminal sensory system, some cranial blood vessels, and the autonomic nervous system are involved. A combination of acute (oxygen inhalation and/or subcutaneous sumatriptan) and prophylactic (first choice verapamil) treatment is usually necessary. For treatment-resistant patients, some experimental invasive options exist.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 535-541
Author(s):  
Nenna Nwazota ◽  
Srinivas Pyati ◽  
Kyle Fisher ◽  
Lance Roy

Cluster headache (CH) is a primary headache disorder. The use of neuromodulation in treatment of CH is well documented. The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) has long been a target for management of CH. Intervention at the level of the SPG can interrupt the trigemino-autonomic reflex, which mediates CH pain. The Pulsante system is the only device on the market created for SPG stimulation. The Pulsante device consists of the device body, a lead with six stimulating electrodes placed in the pterygopalatine fossa, and a fixation plate to allow anchoring of the device to the maxilla. Stimulation is administered via a patient-controlled handheld remote control held over the cheek. SPG stimulation is an important treatment option for CH patients.


Cephalalgia ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 787-803 ◽  
Author(s):  
DW Dodick ◽  
TD Rozen ◽  
PJ Goadsby ◽  
SD Silberstein

Cluster headache is a stereotypic, primary headache disorder that is marked by repeated short-lasting attacks of severe, unilateral head pain and associated autonomic symptoms. Cluster headache is probably due to an abnormality in the circadian hypothalamic generator with subsequent trigeminovascular activation. We have reviewed the clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, gender differences, and treatment options in cluster headache.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Auffenberg ◽  
Friedemann Bender ◽  
Tobias Freilinger

Hemicrania continua (HC) is a rare primary headache disorder, characterized by persistent unilateral pain associated with cranial autonomic symptoms and prompt response to indomethacin. While migrainous features (including aura) have been recognized in cluster headache, there have been only single reports of HC with aura. Here, we report the case of a 53-year-old man with constant right-sided headache and superimposed exacerbations to severe pain lasting for several hours. Secondary etiologies were excluded, and a diagnosis of HC was established after prompt and complete response to treatment with indomethacin. During an episode of pain exacerbation, for the first time the patient experienced an episode of transient visual disturbances compatible with scintillating scotoma. We propose a potential link between HC and visual aura, which parallels similar observations in other trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias and more specifically confirms previous observational data on aura in HC, thus highlighting potentially shared pathophysiological mechanisms.


Author(s):  
Maria Papasavva ◽  
Michail Vikelis ◽  
Martha-Spyridoula Katsarou ◽  
Vasileios Siokas ◽  
Emmanouil Dermitzakis ◽  
...  

AbstractCluster headache (CH) is a primary headache disorder with a complex genetic background. Several studies indicate a potential link between iron homeostasis and the pathophysiology of primary headaches. The HFE gene encodes for a protein involved in iron metabolism, while genetic variants in HFE have been associated with hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), an iron overload disorder. The objective of the current study was to examine the association of the more common HFE H63D variant, with the susceptibility to develop CH and diverse clinical phenotypes in a population of Southeastern European Caucasian (SEC) origin. Genomic DNA samples from 128 CH patients and 294 neurologically healthy controls were genotyped for the HFE rs1799945 (H63D) variant. H63D genotypic and allelic frequency distribution did not differ significantly between patients and controls (p > 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed a significantly more frequent occurrence of the variant G allele in chronic compared to episodic CH patients, indicative for a possible correlation of the HFE gene with the susceptibility for disease chronification. Although homozygosity for the less prevalent H63D variant G allele was minimal in the CH cohort, the results of the present study are in accordance with previous studies in CH and migraine patients, suggesting that HFE H63D variant modifies the disease clinical characteristics. Hence, despite the absence of a per se association with CH susceptibility in the current SEC cohort, variability in HFE gene may be potentially regarded as a disease modifier genetic factor in CH.


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