Headache
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To determine the operating characteristics and predictive value of abbreviated criteria for the diagnosis of migraine headache. ⋯ The single-variable model of nausea and the three-variable models of nausea/photophobia/worse with exertion and nausea/phonophobia/pulsating can effectively predict migraine in diverse clinical settings. These models however, should only be applied after a careful exclusion of secondary headache disorders.
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Comparative Study
Serotonergic activity contributes to analgesic overuse in chronic tension-type headache.
To evaluate the possible existence of a genetically determined innate factor that could exert a profound influence on the development of analgesic overuse in chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). ⋯ Our data suggest that serotonergic activity may be involved in the development of analgesic overuse in CTTH and that 5-HTTLPR might be one of the genetically contributing factors.
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The primary objectives were to examine national trends of prescription medication use for headache and explore patterns of variation in the use of these medications across social and demographic levels. ⋯ The observed variation in prescription medication use by drug class and sociodemographic characteristics suggests strategies are needed for improving current prescribing patterns in this patient population.
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Case Reports
Familial hemiplegic migraine presenting as recurrent encephalopathy in a Native Indian family.
Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) is an autosomal dominant disorder, which can result from mutations in the CACNA1A (FHM1) and ATP1A2 (FHM2) genes. Typically, FHM presents with an aura of hemiplegia accompanied by a moderate-to-severe headache. FHM can be associated with other neurological findings including coma and seizures. ⋯ This emphasizes the genetic and clinical heterogeneity in familial hemiplagic migraine FHM and highlights the need to consider the diagnosis of FHM in cases of recurrent encephalopathy.