G. Nattero

Relevance of Prostaglandins in True Menstrual Migraine

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Nitric oxide, endothelin-1, and transcranial Doppler in migraine. Findings in interictal conditions and during migraine attack

The role of vascular phenomena taking place during an attack of migraine are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to measure systemic levels of nitric oxide and endothelin‐1, two of the most potent vasoactive mediators known, and to assess vasomotor responses through transcranial Doppler ultrasound monitoring in patients suffering from migraine without aura, both during the headache event and in headache‐free periods as well as after pharmacologically induced pain relief. Seven patients (mean age 31.3 years, range 24 to 49 years), five women and two men, were enrolled in the pilot study. Transcranial Doppler recordings were performed according to conventional procedure. Endothelin‐1 concentrations were measured by means of radioimmunoassay, whereas nitric oxide levels were estimated using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Ultrasound evaluation did not show significant changes during migraine attacks compared to the interictal condition. Nitric oxide levels showed only slight differences between basal and attack conditions (0.85 ± 0.46 versus 1.56 ± 0.88, expressed as arbitrary units), and were raised after pharmacological intervention (2.91 ± 1.93, P<0.05). Plasma endothelin‐1 concentrations decreased during migraine attacks with respect to interictal conditions (3.99 ± 1.21 pg/mL versus 4.23 ± 1.19), and returned to basal values (4.44 ± 1.08 pg/mL) after relief of pain. Coupling the measurements of systemic levels of nitric oxide and endothelin‐1 with transcranial Doppler velocity results will provide useful information on the hemodynamic changes of cerebral blood flow regulation in migraineurs, thereby adding new insights into the mechanisms of the migraine attack.

Outdoor Pollution and Headache

The aim of this study was to clarify a possible relationship between pollution and worsening of headache in the industrial city of Turin.

Psychological aspects of weekend headache sufferers in comparison with migraine patients.

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Prolactin and Migraine: Effect of L-Dopa on Plasma Prolactin Levels in Migraineurs and Normals

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Idiopathic headaches: relationship to life events.

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Menstrual migraine: A possible pathogenic implication of platelet function

It has been suggested that migraine is a blood disorder caused by a primary abnormality of platelet behaviour. We have studied in different phases of the cycle of 11 healthy normal women and 13 patients suffering from menstrual migraine: 1. The platelet aggregation induced in vitro by ADP, collagen and ristocetin; 2. The platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin (PSP); 3. The platelet content of 5-hydroxytryptimine (5-HT); 4. The possible correlation between these parameters and the plasma concentration of progesterone. The results demonstrate that in patients with menstrual migraine the platelet response to various aggregating agents is not modified compared to the controls, whereas there is a different response of the PSP to the modulating effect of plasma progesterone. Moreover, in the same patients the platelets have an increased capability of accumulating 5-HT during the perimenstrual phase of the cycle. This suggests that platelet dysfunction may play a role in the pathogenesis of menstrual migraine.

Humoral and Hormonal Changes in Menstrual Migraine

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THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF RESERPINE ON MIGRAINE SYNDROME: RELATIONSHIP TO BLOOD MINE LEVELS†

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RESERPINE FOR MIGRAINE PROPHYLAXIS

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