Scopolamine-induced Migraine Like Headache

Abstract

Objective Scopolamine butylbromide (SB), a muscarinic receptor antagonist, is used commonly in gastric X-ray examination in the physical check-up

Hypothalamic and basal ganglia projections to the posterior thalamus: Possible role in modulation of migraine headache and photophobia

“…The DBB contains cholinergic neurons whose activity has been associated with sleep homeostasis (Monti and Jantos, 2004, Kalinchuk et al, 2006). Remarkably, evidence supporting the involvement of acetylcholine in migraine has emerged in clinical studies showing that centrally acting cholinesterase inhibitors are effective in preventing migraine (Nicolodi et al, 2002), and that anti-cholinergic drugs trigger migraine-like headaches and worsen the headache during ongoing attacks in migraineurs (Ikeda et al, 2009). Although the drugs used in these studies may act in the peripheral vasculature, central effects on cholinergic DBB neurons are also possible.…”

Headache after exposure to ‘date-rape’ drugs

“…Gordon (Gordon et al 1991) reported a naval airman who developed chronic headaches after five months’ continuous treatment with scopolamine, and Ikeda et al (Ikeda et al 2009) noted that 54 out of 1919 subjects premedicated with 20 mg scopolamine for‚ gastrointestinal X-ray examination’ developed headaches - all had a past history of migraine, and only one of the 1865 non-migraineurs had a headache, and this was mild. The headaches lasted several hours.…”

“…The headache seems unrelated to the suppression of muscarinic parasympathetic vasodilatation in the cerebral circulation, as scopolamine does not affect this, at least in the rat (Kowacs et al 2004). The therapeutic benefit of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor drugs such as donepezil in migraine (Ikeda et al 2009; Nicolodi et al 2002) suggests that cholinergic pathways may suppress migrainous attacks and, thus, muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonists might lead to the development of headache.…”

Frontal betonte Hemikranie und homolaterale Mydriasis

“…überlegen ist. Die antinozizeptive Wirkung des Donepezil war in Tierversuch durch Scopolamin zu antagonisieren [17][18][19][20]. Kritisch muss jedoch angemerkt werden, dass die mit dem verspritzenden Pflanzensaft aufgenommene Alkaloidmenge erheblich unter der üblichen therapeutischen Dosis von Scopolamin gelegen haben muss.…”