Headache
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Comparative Study
Blood flow velocity and pulsatility index differences in patients with unilateral migraine.
To evaluate blood flow velocity and pulsatility in unilateral migraine without aura during the headache-free period using transcranial Doppler (TCD) sonography. ⋯ Middle cerebral artery flow pulsatility and basilar artery velocity are higher in patients with right-sided migraine compared with left-sided migraineurs, during the headache-free period. Although these parameters were similar to controls, the differences found during the headache-free period in migraineurs may indicate vascular involvement predisposing to the unilateral headache recurrence.
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A population-based survey was conducted in 1999 to describe the patterns of migraine diagnosis and medication use in a representative sample of the US population and to compare results with a methodologically identical study conducted 10 years earlier. ⋯ Diagnosis of migraine has increased over the past decade. Nonetheless, approximately half of migraineurs remain undiagnosed, and the increased rates of diagnosis of migraine have been accompanied by only a modest increase in the proportion using prescription medicines. Migraine continues to cause significant disability whether or not there has been a physician diagnosis. Given the availability of effective treatments, public health initiatives to improve patterns of care are warranted.
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The periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) is at the center of a powerful descending antinociceptive neuronal network. We studied iron homeostasis in the PAG as an indicator of function in patients with episodic migraine (EM) between attacks and patients with chronic daily headache (CDH) during headache. High-resolution magnetic resonance techniques were used to map the transverse relaxation rates R2, R2*, and R2' in the PAG, red nucleus (RN), and substantia nigra (SN). R2' is a measure of non-heme iron in tissues. ⋯ Iron homeostasis in the PAG was selectively, persistently, and progressively impaired in the EM and CDH groups, possibly caused by repeated migraine attacks. These results support and emphasize the role of the PAG as a possible "generator" of migraine attacks, potentially by dysfunctional control of the trigeminovascular nociceptive system.
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To determine the prevalence of migraine and episodic tension-type headache (ETTH) among university students as well as its impact on academic performance and quality of life. ⋯ The present study confirms the profound impact of headache on the performance of university students, with this impact much more evident among migraineurs but also important among students with ETTH.