The journal of headache and pain
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The Global Campaign against Headache, as a collaborative activity with the World Health Organization (WHO), was formally launched in Copenhagen in March 2004. In the month it turns 18, we review its activities and achievements, from initial determination of its strategic objectives, through partnerships and project management, knowledge acquisition and awareness generation, to evidence-based proposals for change justified by cost-effectiveness analysis.
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According to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, headache disorders are among the most prevalent and disabling conditions worldwide. GBD builds on epidemiological studies (published and unpublished) which are notable for wide variations in both their methodologies and their prevalence estimates. Our first aim was to update the documentation of headache epidemiological studies, summarizing global prevalence estimates for all headache, migraine, tension-type headache (TTH) and headache on ≥15 days/month (H15+), comparing these with GBD estimates and exploring time trends and geographical variations. Our second aim was to analyse how methodological factors influenced prevalence estimates. ⋯ The review confirms GBD in finding that headache disorders remain highly prevalent worldwide, and it identifies methodological factors explaining some of the large variation between study findings. These variations render uncertain both the increase in migraine prevalence estimates over time, and the geographical differences. More and better studies are needed in low- and middle-income countries.
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Adenosine is a purinergic signaling molecule with a wide range of physiological functions including anti- and pronociceptive properties. Adenosine receptors are expressed in the trigeminovascular system, and adenosine receptor antagonist, caffeine, relieves migraine headache. We performed a systematic review of the literature of preclinical data addressing the role of adenosine in migraine pathophysiology. ⋯ Preclinical studies showed that adenosine has a dual effect on vasodilation and trigeminal pain pathway due to different receptor activation, suggesting a possible role of adenosine in migraine pathophysiology. Studies investigating pharmacological characteristics of subtypes of adenosine receptors are needed to further elucidate their role as a potential target for migraine treatment.
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Adenosine is a purinergic signaling molecule with a wide range of physiological functions including anti- and pronociceptive properties. Adenosine receptors are expressed in the trigeminovascular system, and adenosine receptor antagonist, caffeine, relieves migraine headache. We performed a systematic review of the literature of preclinical data addressing the role of adenosine in migraine pathophysiology. ⋯ Preclinical studies showed that adenosine has a dual effect on vasodilation and trigeminal pain pathway due to different receptor activation, suggesting a possible role of adenosine in migraine pathophysiology. Studies investigating pharmacological characteristics of subtypes of adenosine receptors are needed to further elucidate their role as a potential target for migraine treatment.