Pentti Kangasniemi

Tolfenamic Acid Rapid Release Versus Sumatriptan in the Acute Treatment of Migraine: Comparable Effect in a Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled, Parallel-Group Study

The efficacy and safety of tolfenamic acid and oral sumatriptan in the acute treatment of migraine was studied at five neurological centers in Finland. One hundred forty‐one patients experiencing 289 migraine attacks, fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for migraine with or without aura as defined by the International Headache Society, were randomized.

Metoprolol and Propranolol in the Prophylactic Treatment of Classical and Common Migraine. A Double-Blind Study

In a double-blind, cross-over study the effect and tolerance of the non-selective beta-blocker propranolol in a dosage of 80 mg twice daily was compared to that of the beta1-selective beta-blocker metoprolol 200 mg once daily in Durules(r) (a controlled-release formulation). The attack frequency, migraine days, severity score, consumption of acute medication and subjective evaluation were the main parameters used for evaluation. Thirty-six patients with classical or common migraine were included. Thirty-three completed the investigation. It is concluded from the results that there are no differences in efficacy between metoprolol and propranolol regarding the studied parameters. Both drugs reduced the migraine symptoms compared to the run-in period and were generally well tolerated.

Tolfenamic acid, metoclopramide, caffeine and their combinations in the treatment of migraine attacks

Tolfenamic acid is a fenamate which inhibits prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis and may act as a PG antagonist as well. Caffeine and metoclopramide are used in combination with analgesics and ergotamine in the treatment of migraine attacks, but controlled clinical studies on fixed combinations with analgesics are rare. The effects of orally given tolfenamic acid (200 mg), caffeine (100 mg), metoclopramide (10 mg), tolfenamic acid + caffeine (200 mg + 100 mg), tolfenamic acid + metoclopramide (200 mg + 10 mg) and placebo were studied in 49 migraine patients (3 men, 46 women) in a double-blind randomized cross-over study comprising 482 migraine attacks. The patients were allowed to take either one or two capsules of each preparation for an attack. Additional drugs were allowed after 3 h. Parameters characterizing the effects and side-effects of the drugs were registered. Tolfenamic acid and its combinations were found to be effective in the treatment of acute migraine, but caffeine and metoclopramide alone did not differ from placebo. Combination with metoclopramide was better than tolfenamic acid alone as judged by the smaller dose needed and the intensity of attack. Between tolfenamic acid alone and its caffeine combination there were no statistically significant differences.

Changes in Headache After Treatment of Mandibular Dysfunction

To analyse the effect of treatment of mandibular dysfunction on headache, 35 patients with migraine, 20 patients with combination headache and 36 patients with muscle contraction headache were studied in a clinical double-blind trial. Patients in the treatment group received occlusal adjustment and those in the placebo group mock occlusal adjustment. After eight months and four months, respectively, the neurologist evaluated the treatment outcome. The frequency of headache was reduced in 79% and the intensity in 53% of patients suffering from muscle contraction headache or combination headache in whom the adjustment of the dental occlusion had been successfully accomplished. The difference from the placebo group was statistically significant. The decrease in headache frequency as calculated from the headache diaries correlated with the decrease in the index of clinical signs of mandibular dysfunction.

Effect of occlusal adjustment on mandibular dysfunction A double-blind study

A group of headache patients who also had many signs and symptoms of mandibular dysfunction were randomly assigned to treatment and placebo groups. All 48 patients in the treatment group received occlusal adjustment and 19 of them also splint therapy. In the placebo group all 43 patients received mock adjustment. The changes in symptoms and signs of mandibular dysfunction were evaluated after 8 months in the treatment group and after 4 months in the placebo group, in a double-blind design. Placebo treatment and real treatment were equally effective in relieving symptoms of mandibular dysfunction, but there was significantly more reduction in signs of dysfunction in the treatment group than in the placebo group. When tested statistically, this reduction appeared to be independent of the use of splints as an aid to treatment. It can be concluded that the elimination of occlusal disturbances was an effective treatment for mandibular dysfunction.

Response to occlusal treatment in headache patients previously treated by mock occlusal adjustment

Headache patients who had received mock occlusal adjustment and who, after the placebo treatment, were judged to have moderate to severe mandibular dysfunction were offered further treatment. The present study reports the results of occlusal treatment in 19 patients who were willing to undergo further treatment. Statistically significant reduction after occlusal treatment (occlusal adjustment, aided in some cases by temporary use of occlusal splints) was observed in clinical signs (P less than 0.05) and subjective symptoms (P less than 0.01) of mandibular dysfunction and in the frequency of headache (P less than 0.05). The results are complementary to our earlier clinical studies and corroborate the conclusion that improvements after occlusal treatment exceed those after placebo treatment.

Steady-state visual evoked potentials during migraine prophylaxis by propranolol and femoxetine

ABSTRACT— The amplitude of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) for flickering light has been reported to be increased in migraine. In the present study, we have examined whether the VEPs are attenuated when the clinical state of the patient improves during a double‐blind experiment with propranolol and femoxetine. VEPs for sinusoidally‐modulated light were measured by spectral analysis, and an index depicting the visual reaction type was calculated. The group mean VEP index closely followed the group mean attack frequency, but individual variance was considerable. The changes were most evident in VEPs elicited by stimuli of about 20 Hz. During the treatments, the VEP and headache were also significantly correlated among subjects. The results suggest a close relationship between the enlarged VEPs and the headache mechanisms.

Alpha rhythm in classical migraine (migraine with aura): abnormalities in the headache-free interval.

The alpha rhythm of 18 patients with classical migraine (migraine with aura) was studied by EEG spectrum analysis for evidence of neural abnormalities during the asymptomatic period. The temporal relationship of the findings to attacks was studied by serial records in 11 cases. Increased frequency dispersion and frequency asymmetries of the alpha rhythm were found. The records were, however, mostly normal when separated from attacks by at least 10 asymptomatic days. The abnormalities increased significantly before the onset of prodromal symptoms and clearly outlasted the headache phase. The results give evidence of a fluctuating asymmetric neural disorder in classical migraine.

Levotryptophan treatment in migraine.

SYNOPSIS

EXCRETION OF FREE AND CONJUGATED 5‐HIAA AND VMA IN URINE AND CONCENTRATION OF 5‐HIAA AND HVA IN CSF DURING MIGRAINE ATTACKS AND FREE INTERVALS

The DIAGNOSIS OF migraine is still based on clinical findings. However, everyday practice has forced us to check our attitude to old ideas. According to Waters study only half of migraine patients are releaved by ergotamine in their headache attacks (Waters, Brit. Med. J. 1970, 2, 325). Blau, again, has found that in one half of the patients the conjunctival blood vessels contract during attacks. Contraction and dilatation remain the same in successive attacks and support the view that also intracranial vessels take part in the headache stage (Blau, Lancet 1970, 10, 740). Anthony and Lance have shown by biochemical methods that migraine and cluster headache are two different forms of headache (Anthony and Lance, Arch. Neurol. 1971, 25, 225).