Sensitization of trigeminal nociception specific for migraine but not pain of sinusitis

Neurology. 2002 Nov 12;59(9):1450-3. doi: 10.1212/wnl.59.9.1450.

Abstract

Trigeminal pain processing was studied in 14 patients with unilateral migraine attacks and 14 age- and sex-matched patients with comparable unilateral headache from frontal sinusitis. Using a nociception-specific blink reflex method (nBR), a facilitation of nBR responses predominantly on the headache side was observed in migraine, but not in sinusitis. The facilitation of trigeminal nociception may be specific for migraine rather than a consequence of peripheral pain such as frontal sinusitis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Blinking
  • Female
  • Frontal Sinusitis / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Migraine Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Nociceptors / physiopathology*
  • Reaction Time
  • Trigeminal Nerve / physiopathology*