The genetics and chronobiology of cluster headache

Belin, Andrea Carmine; Barloese, Mads Christian

doi:10.1177/03331024231208126

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 105 publications

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“…Prevailing consensus, however, does find this neurovascular headache to anatomically involve the posterior hypothalamus, brainstem, and midbrain, and it manifests through activation of cranofacial parasympathetic fibers as well as trigeminal nerve fibers [4]. One prominent symptom of CH is its rhythmicity of attacks reported by a majority of patients and possibly linked to the circadian rhythm [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Prescribed and Non-Prescribed Treatments for Cluster Headache in a Swedish Cohort

Smedfors,

Jennysdotter Olofsgård,

Steinberg

et al. 2024

Brain Sciences

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Background: Cluster headache (CH) is a debilitating condition, but current therapies leave CH patients in pain. The extent of this problem in Sweden is unknown. Methods: An anonymized questionnaire was sent to 479 Swedish CH patients to investigate patterns and perceived effects of treatments. Results: Three hundred fourteen answers were analyzed. The population was representative regarding age of onset and sex. Less than half (46%) were satisfied with their abortive treatments, 19% terminated functioning abortive treatments due to side effects. Additionally, 17% of chronic CH patients had not tried the first-line preventive drug verapamil. A small subset had tried illicit substances to treat their CH (0–8% depending on substance). Notably, psilocybin was reported effective as an abortive treatment by 100% (n = 8), and with some level of effect as a preventive treatment by 92% (n = 12). For verapamil, some level of preventive effect was reported among 68% (n = 85). Conclusions: Our descriptive data illustrate that many Swedish CH patients are undertreated, lack functional therapies, and experience side effects. Further studies are warranted to search for new treatment strategies as well as a revision of current treatment guidelines with the aim of reducing patient disease burden to the greatest extent possible.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Prescribed and Non-Prescribed Treatments for Cluster Headache in a Swedish Cohort

Smedfors,

Jennysdotter Olofsgård,

Steinberg

et al. 2024

Brain Sciences

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“…CH attacks are considered frequent but relatively short (~ 15 min to 3 hours), which differs from migraine attacks that can last for several days. Another interesting difference between the two headaches is that CH is suggested to be linked to the circadian rhythm as attacks often occur during the night [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

MERTK in the trigeminal system: a novel target for cluster headache and other headache disorders?

Edvinsson,

Ran

et al. 2024

Preprint

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The trigeminal system is key to the pathophysiology of migraine and cluster headache, two primary headache disorders that share many features. Recently, MER proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MERTK), a cell surface receptor, was strongly associated with cluster headache through genetic studies. Further, the MERTK ligand Galectin-3 has been found to be elevated in serum in migraine patients. In this study, MERTK and MERTK ligands were investigated in key tissue to better understand their potential implication in the pathophysiology of primary headache disorders. Immunohistochemistry was used to map MERTK and Galectin-3 expression in rodent trigeminal ganglia (TG). RT-qPCR was used to assess MERTK gene expression in blood and ELISA immunoassays were used for MERTK ligand quantification in serum from study participants with and without cluster headache. MERTK gene expression was elevated in blood samples from study participants with cluster headache patients as compared to controls. In addition, MERTK ligand Galectin-3 was found at increased concentration in the serum of study participants with cluster headache, while the ligands Growth Arrest Specific 6 and protein S levels were unaffected. MERTK and Galectin-3 were both expressed in rat TG. Galectin-3 was primarily located to smaller neurons and to a lesser extent in C-fibres, while MERTK was found in satellite glia cells (SGC) and in the outer membrane of Schwann cells. Interestingly, a strong MERTK signal was found specifically in the region proximal to the nodes of Ranvier. The overexpression of MERTK and Galectin-3 in study participants with cluster headache, as well as the presence of MERTK in peripheral SGC and Schwann cells in the TG, further highlights MERTK signalling as an interesting therapeutic target in primary headache.

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The headache research priorities: Research goals from the American Headache Society and an international multistakeholder expert group

Schwedt,

Pradhan,

Oshinsky

et al. 2024

Headache

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ObjectiveTo identify and disseminate research priorities for the headache field that should be areas of research focus during the next 10 years.BackgroundEstablishing research priorities helps focus and synergize the work of headache investigators, allowing them to reach the most important research goals more efficiently and completely.MethodsThe Headache Research Priorities organizing and executive committees and working group chairs led a multistakeholder and international group of experts to develop headache research priorities. The research priorities were developed and reviewed by clinicians, scientists, people with headache, representatives from headache organizations, health‐care industry representatives, and the public. Priorities were revised and finalized after receiving feedback from members of the research priorities working groups and after a public comment period.ResultsTwenty‐five research priorities across eight categories were identified: human models, animal models, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management, treatment, inequities and disparities, research workforce development, and quality of life. The priorities address research models and methods, development and optimization of outcome measures and endpoints, pain and non‐pain symptoms of primary and secondary headaches, investigations into mechanisms underlying headache attacks and chronification of headache disorders, treatment optimization, research workforce recruitment, development, expansion, and support, and inequities and disparities in the headache field. The priorities are focused enough that they help to guide headache research and broad enough that they are widely applicable to multiple headache types and various research methods.ConclusionsThese research priorities serve as guidance for headache investigators when planning their research studies and as benchmarks by which the headache field can measure its progress over time. These priorities will need updating as research goals are met and new priorities arise.

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The genetics and chronobiology of cluster headache

Cited by 6 publications

References 105 publications

Use of Prescribed and Non-Prescribed Treatments for Cluster Headache in a Swedish Cohort

Use of Prescribed and Non-Prescribed Treatments for Cluster Headache in a Swedish Cohort

MERTK in the trigeminal system: a novel target for cluster headache and other headache disorders?

The headache research priorities: Research goals from the American Headache Society and an international multistakeholder expert group

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