Altered regional homogeneity in spontaneous cluster headache attacks: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

BACKGROUND: Functional neuroimaging study has opened an avenue for exploring the pathophysiology of cluster headache (CH). The aim of our study was to assess the changes in brain activity in CH patients by the regional homogeneity method using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging technique. METHODS: The functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained for 12 male CH patients with spontaneous right-sided headache attacks during "in attack" and "out of attack" periods and 12 age- and sex-matched normal controls. The data were analyzed to detect the altered brain activity by the regional homogeneity method using statistical parametric mapping software. RESULTS: Altered regional homogeneity was detected in the anterior cingulate cortex, the posterior cingulate cortex, the prefrontal cortex, insular cortex, and other brain regions involved in pain processing and modulation among different groups. CONCLUSION: It is referred that these brain regions with altered regional homogeneity might be related to the pain processing and modulation of CH.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on cortical spreading depression and plasma CGRP and substance P contents in migraine rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on cortical spreading depression (CSD) and contents of plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) in migraine rats. METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were equally randomized into control, model and EA groups. Migraine model was established by topical application of KCI (3 mol/L) immersed in a piece of filter paper to the cerebral cortex (parietal lobe, 6 mm posterior to the Bregma and 5 mm to the sagital fissure) after exposure of the skull (in reference to Michael' method). KCI stimulation evoked CSD potentials (3 mm rostral to the Bregma, and 2 mm to the sagital fissure) were recorded by using a glass microelectrode. For rats of control group, filter paper containing 0.9% NaCl was applied to the same parietal cortex area. EA (1 mA, 2 Hz/100 Hz) was applied to bilateral "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) and "Taichong" (LR 3) for 30 min. The contents of plasma CGRP and SP were assayed by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: CSD was induced 3-5 min after application of KCI to the parietal lobe. The average amplitude of model group was (-25.13 +/- 1.23) mV, and that of EA group was (-19.19 +/- 1.53) mV, displaying a significant reduction of CSD amplitude after EA (P < 0.01). Comparison among 3 groups showed that both plasma CGRP and SP contents in model group were significantly higher than those of control group (P < 0.001, P < 0.01), while compared with model group, plasma CGRP and SP levels in EA group decreased considerably (P < 0.05, P < 0.001), suggesting an inhibitory effect of EA on pain-producing substance. CONCLUSION: EA of GB 34 and LR 3 can effectively suppress KCI provoked cortical spreading depression and plasma CGRP and SP levels in the rat, which may contribute to its effect in relieving migraine in clinic.

[A retrospective study of clinical features of migraine].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical features of migraine based on out-patient clinic data and provide help for the diagnosis and treatment of migraine. METHODS: In a retrospective study of 309 patients with migraine, we investigated the clinical characteristics of migraine of both genders and different types, and the risk factors for MOH transformed from migraine. RESULTS: The female to male ratio was about 3:1, 76.1% of the patients had triggering factors. The most common characteristics of headache were moderate to severe intensity of the pain (97.7%), aggravation by routine physical activity (75.1%), and association with nausea (90.9%) and/or vomiting (70.6%). There were significant differences in some clinical characteristics of migraine in females as compared with those in males and in patients with migraine without aura (MWOA) as compared with those with aura (MWA). The risk factors for MOH transformed from migraine were elder age of onset, high attack frequency and the analgesics frequently used (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that carefully collecting the characteristics of headache, triggering factors and therapeutic history is the foundation of correct diagnosis and effective treatment for migraine.