Acute hypothalamic stimulation and ongoing cluster headache attacks

Neurology. 2006 Nov 28;67(10):1844-5. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000247273.93084.49.

Abstract

Long-term hypothalamic stimulation is effective in improving drug-resistant chronic cluster headache (CH). We assessed acute hypothalamic stimulation to resolve ongoing CH attacks in 16 patients implanted to prevent chronic CH, investigating 136 attacks. A pain intensity reduction of > or =50% occurred in 25 of 108 evaluable attacks (23.1%). Acute hypothalamic stimulation is not effective in resolving ongoing CH attacks, suggesting that hypothalamic stimulation acts by complex mechanisms in CH prevention.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology
  • Cluster Headache / physiopathology
  • Cluster Headache / therapy*
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / methods*
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / standards
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / statistics & numerical data
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamus, Posterior / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Pathways / physiopathology
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Sumatriptan / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists
  • Sumatriptan