Headache
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Histamine has been studied in both health and disease since the initial description a century ago. With its vasodilative effect, it was suggested early on to be involved in the pathophysiology of migraine. Over the past 25 years, much has been learned about histamine as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. The role of this neurotransmitter system in migraine has not been previously reviewed. ⋯ The role of the central histaminergic system in migraine is largely unexplored, but findings from preclinical research may be linked to several aspects of the disorder. The histaminergic system of the brain may play an important role, especially in the initial phase of an attack, and histamine H3 and H4 receptor ligands may potentially have migraine prophylactic properties. However, the basis for this is still circumstantial, and the evidence is lacking.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Comparing the efficacy of eletriptan for migraine in women during menstrual and non-menstrual time periods: a pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials.
To assess the efficacy and tolerability of eletriptan in treating migraine attacks occurring within the defined menstrual time period of 1 day before and 4 days after onset of menstruation (menses days -1 to +4) compared with attacks occurring during non-menstrual time periods (occurring outside of menses days -1 to +4). ⋯ Two-hour headache outcome measures were similar in women treated with eletriptan both within and outside of the defined menstrual time period (menses days -1 to +4). The main treatment differences between the 2 groups occurred 2-24 hours post-treatment, with higher recurrence rates and lower sustained response rates for nausea in the group treated during the menstrual time period.
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Headache resulting from idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in a population of moderately to obese women of childbearing age. The causes overall remain unclear. With this review, we provide an overview of clinical treatment and management strategies. ⋯ In this review, we discuss headache associated with IIH and spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Much needs to be learned about treatment options for patients with cerebrospinal fluid leaks including methods to strengthen the dura.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
An exploratory study of salivary calcitonin gene-related peptide levels relative to acute interventions and preventative treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA in chronic migraine.
To determine if baseline/interictal saliva calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels would be lower in subjects with chronic migraine receiving onabotulinumtoxinA compared with those receiving saline. ⋯ While CGRP levels were not elevated during a migraine attack in chronic migraine subjects as has been reported in episodic migraine, there was an overall decrease in the baseline/interictal levels in response to onabotulinumtoxinA.
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Multicenter Study
Identifying the factors underlying discontinuation of triptans.
To identify factors associated with triptan discontinuation among migraine patients. ⋯ As expected, discontinuation was most correlated with lack of efficacy, but other important factors associated with those who had discontinued use included greater migraine-related disability, depression, and the use of opioids for migraine attacks. Compared with patients who had discontinued triptans, current triptan users felt more: educated about their triptan, control over their migraine attacks, and confidence in their prescribing provider. Current triptan users had their triptan prescribed by a specialist and used other abortive medications with their triptan more often compared with patients who had discontinued triptans. Given the cross-sectional nature of this study, we cannot determine if these factors contributed to triptan discontinuation or reflect the impact of such discontinuation. Interventions that address modifiable risk factors for triptan discontinuation may decrease the likelihood of triptan discontinuation and thus improve overall migraine control. Because lack of efficacy was most strongly associated with triptan discontinuation, future research should determine why triptans are effective for some patients but not others.