The journal of headache and pain
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This article consists of a Letter to the Editor regarding Post-traumatic headache: the use of the sport concussion assessment tool (SCAT-3) as a predictor of post-concussion recovery, recently published in The Journal of Headache and Pain, along with a response from the original authors.
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Observational Study
Temporal relations in hormone-withdrawal migraines and impact on prevention- a diary-based pilot study in combined hormonal contraceptive users.
Menstrually related migraine (MRM) in the hormone-free interval (HFI) of combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC) are according to the ICHD definition also estrogen withdrawal migraines (EWH). MRMs are less responsive to acute medication. Therefore short-term prevention, initiated 1-2 days before onset of the anticipated bleeding and continued for 6 days, is recommended. Such a long prophylactic triptan use might increase the risk for medication overuse headache in women suffering in addition from non-menstrual migraines. In CHC users onset of hormone decline is predictable. It is however unknown, whether the EWHs are rather associated with onset of hormone withdrawal or onset of bleeding. Improved understanding of this relation might contribute to better define and shorten the time interval for prevention. ⋯ MRM in CHC users starts on bleeding days -1 to 4, what differs from findings in the natural cycle. Referring to the HFI interval migraine started mostly on days 1-5. According to these data, it seems to be reasonable to initiate short-term prevention at the last day of pill use or the first day of the HFI and continue for 5 days.
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To review the distribution and function of KATP channels, describe the use of KATP channels openers in clinical trials and make the case that these channels may play a role in headache and migraine. ⋯ We suggest that KATP channels may play an important role in migraine pathogenesis and could be a potential novel therapeutic anti-migraine target.
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Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disabling chronic pain syndrome with unknown pathophysiology. Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies on FM have suggested altered brain connectivity between the insula and the default mode network (DMN). However, this connectivity change has not been characterized through direct neural signals for exploring the embedded spectrotemporal features and the pertinent clinical relevance. ⋯ We confirmed the frequency-specific reorganization of the insula-DMN connectivity in FM. The clinical relevance of this connectivity change may warrant future studies to elucidate its causal relationship and potential as a neurological signature for FM.
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The majority of individuals with post-traumatic headache have symptoms that are indistinguishable from migraine. The overlap in symptoms amongst these individuals raises the question as to whether post-traumatic headache has a unique pathophysiology or if head trauma triggers migraine. The objective of this study was to compare brain structure in individuals with persistent post-traumatic headache (i.e. headache lasting at least 3 months following a traumatic brain injury) attributed to mild traumatic brain injury to that of individuals with migraine. ⋯ In conclusion, persistent post-traumatic headache and migraine are associated with differences in brain structure, perhaps suggesting differences in their underlying pathophysiology. Additional studies are needed to further delineate similarities and differences in brain structure and function that are associated with post-traumatic headache and migraine and to determine their specificity for each of the headache types.