Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021 May 14:1-13. Epub 2021 May 14.

1 Neurology Department, Aeginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

: Cluster headache (CH) is probably the most severe idiopathic pain condition, yet its current medical management remains poor.: Only repurpose medicines are currently in use for the prevention of CH, partially because the pathophysiology of the condition is still elusive. In this article we performed a systematic review to evaluate the evidence for efficacy of the currently available or emerging treatments for CH. Read More

Dev Med Child Neurol 2021 May 14. Epub 2021 May 14.

Department of Neurology, Federal University of Delta of Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Brazil.

Aim: To describe the clinical characteristics and therapeutic options available to paediatric patients with cluster headache.

Method: Based on a literature search of the medical databases PubMed, LILACS, and Web of Science and using selected descriptors, we carried out a systematic review of case reports on cluster headache in paediatric patients published from 1990 to 2020.

Results: Fifty-one patients (29 males, 22 females) with a mean (SD) age of 9 years 7 months (3y 10mo; range 2-16y) were diagnosed with cluster headache. Read More

Age Ageing 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Department of Internal Medicine, section of Geriatric Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Background: Sars-CoV-2 outbreaks resulted in a high case fatality rate in nursing homes (NH) worldwide. It is unknown to which extent presymptomatic residents and staff contribute to the spread of the virus.

Aims: To assess the contribution of asymptomatic and presymptomatic residents and staff in SARS-CoV-2 transmission during a large outbreak in a Dutch NH. Read More

Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2021 May 5;21(7):31. Epub 2021 May 5.

Department of Neurology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Rd, PHC-7, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.

Purpose Of Review: The treatment of cluster headache has evolved to include a handheld neuromodulation device and a monoclonal antibody in addition to more traditional agents.

Recent Findings: Galcanezumab is an approved treatment for episodic cluster headache. The non-invasive vagal nerve stimulator has been shown to be effective as a treatment for episodic cluster headache. Read More

Pain Ther 2021 May 4. Epub 2021 May 4.

Kiel Migraine and Headache Centre, Kiel, Germany.

Introduction: Cluster headaches can occur with considerable clinical variability. The inter- and intra-individual variability could contribute to the fact that the clinical headache phenotype is not captured by too strict diagnostic criteria, and that the diagnosis and the effective therapy are thereby delayed. The aim of the study was to analyze the severity and extent of the clinical symptoms of episodic and chronic cluster headaches with regard to their variability and to compare them with the requirements of the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition (ICHD-3) diagnostic criteria. Read More

BMC Neurol 2021 May 3;21(1):184. Epub 2021 May 3.

Department of Neurology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.

Background: A patient with a history of cluster headaches, now in remission, presented with confirmed hemicrania continua that resolved with a local anaesthetic injection into the Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia arising from a soft tissue source in the neck.

Case Presentation: A 66-year-old man with a history of cluster headaches presented with a six-month history of a new constant right-sided headache. Read More

J Pediatr Neurosci 2020 Oct-Dec;15(4):365-369. Epub 2021 Jan 19.

Department of Pediatric Neurology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey.

Background: Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs primarily as a result of insufficient dietary intake in children in developing countries. Vitamin B12 deficiency produces a cluster of neurological symptoms in children.

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the vitamin B12 status of patients who were admitted with neurological symptoms and to evaluate the clinical response to vitamin B12 treatment. Read More

J Clin Med 2021 Apr 24;10(9). Epub 2021 Apr 24.

Unit of Medical Toxicology, Headache Centre and Drug Abuse, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71, 41124 Modena, Italy.

Migraine is an invalidating neuro-vascular disorder largely spread in the world population. Currently, its pathophysiology is not yet completely understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the urinary proteome of women suffering from menstrually related migraine (MM) and post-menopause migraine (PM) in comparison with non-headache women as controls, to search potential biomarkers of these migraine sub-types. Read More

World Neurosurg 2021 Apr 24. Epub 2021 Apr 24.

Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Division of Neurosurgery, London Health Sciences Centre, University Hospital, London ON, Canada.

Objective: To provide long-term data on clinically meaningful pain alleviation in drug-refractory headache disorders with occipital and supraorbital nerve stimulation (ONS; SONS).

Methods: Retrospective review of 96 patients suffering from migraine, cervicogenic headache, cluster headache, neuropathic pain of the scalp, tension-type headache and new daily persistent headache, who underwent ONS (61.5%), SONS (11. Read More

Front Neurol 2021 7;12:636888. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Neurology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.

Most previous studies on cluster headache (CH) focus on Western populations. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of CH in a neurology outpatient population in Taiwan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July 2015 to June 2019 in a medical college affiliated with a tertiary care hospital (Tri-Service General Hospital) in Taiwan. Read More

BMC Neurol 2021 Apr 22;21(1):174. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

Institute of Information Systems, University of Applied Sciences Hof, Hof, Germany.

Background: The aim of this work is to analyze the reports on cluster headache attacks collected online in the citizen science project CLUE with respect to the effectiveness of drugs taken during the attacks. The collection of data within the framework of citizen science projects opens up the possibility of investigating the effectiveness of acute medication on the basis of a large number of individual attacks instead of a simple survey of patients.

Methods: Data from 8369 cluster headache attacks, containing information about acute medication taken and the assessment of its effect, were collected from 133 participants using an online platform and a smartphone app. Read More

Neuromodulation 2021 Apr 22. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

Department of Neurosurgery, Université Côte d'Azur, CHU de Nice, Nice, France.

Introduction: Occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) is proposed to treat refractory chronic cluster headache (rCCH), but its cost-effectiveness has not been evaluated, limiting its diffusion and reimbursement.

Materials And Methods: We performed a before-and-after economic study, from data collected prospectively in a nation-wide registry. We compared the cost-effectiveness of ONS associated with conventional treatment (intervention and postintervention period) to conventional treatment alone (preintervention period) in the same patients. Read More

Eur J Neurol 2021 Apr 14. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

PharmacoEpidemiology and Drug Safety Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

Many clinicians lack experience in managing trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) in pregnancy and lactation. In addition to cluster headache, TACs include hemicrania continua, paroxysmal hemicrania, and short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing/autonomic symptoms (SUNCT/SUNA). Treating these rare, severe headache conditions often require off-label drugs that have uncertain teratogenic potential. Read More

Pain Med 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Neuroradiology Service, department of Radiology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Italy.

Background: Since the pioneering reports of the so-called "leonine face" in cluster headache (CH) patients, cranial and facial features of these patients have been poorly investigated with conflicting results. We aimed to investigate whether abnormalities in craniometric measurements could characterize male CH patients and represent reliable and reproducible diagnostic biomarkers able to identify CH patients.

Methods: Brain CT images were recorded between 2018 and 2020 in 24 male patients with CH, and in 24 matched healthy controls (HC). Read More

J Clin Neurol 2021 Apr;17(2):229-235

Department of Neurology, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hwaseong, Korea.

Background And Purpose: Epidemiologic data suggest that cluster headache (CH) is significantly associated with cigarette smoking. The aim of this study was to determine differences in features between patients with a smoking history and those who are never-smokers, using data from a prospective multicenter registry.

Methods: Data used in this study were obtained from the Korean Cluster Headache Registry that collected data from consecutive patients diagnosed with CH. Read More

Cureus 2021 Mar 4;13(3):e13694. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Neurology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, USA.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an uncommon manifestation in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to the virus's prothrombotic state. Our case involves a 41-year-old Hispanic male with a past medical history of HIV on bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir/alafenamide (Biktarvy), hyperlipidemia, post-traumatic stress disorder, hypogonadism with the cessation of testosterone injections one month prior, and generalized anxiety disorder who presented with retro-orbital headache, intermittent bilateral blurry vision, and flashing lights in the lower lateral left eye for one week. Vitals signs and laboratory studies were within normal limits aside from new iron deficiency anemia. Read More

Chronobiol Int 2021 Apr 8:1-12. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, USA.

Verapamil is the first-line preventive medication for cluster headache, an excruciating disorder with strong circadian features. Whereas second- and third-line preventives include known circadian modulators, such as melatonin, corticosteroids, and lithium, the circadian effects of verapamil are poorly understood. Here, we characterize the circadian features of verapamil using both in vitro and in vivo models. Read More

Brain Nerve 2021 Apr;73(4):347-355

Department of Neurology, Japanese Red Cross Shizuoka Hospital.

Galcanezumab, a CGRP monoclonal antibody drug, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of recurrent cluster headaches. Read More

Brain Nerve 2021 Apr;73(4):339-346

Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Tominaga Hospital.

Migraine and cluster headache are common headache disorders that impact patients' quality of life. The pharmacotherapy for acute headache attacks is sometimes ineffective, and the adherence to preventive medications is low due to their side effects and/or lack of efficacy. Recently, several non-invasive neuromodulation devices for primary headache disorders have been launched and attracted the attention of patients and physicians because of their practicality, safety, and the possibility of becoming new treatment options. Read More

Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021 Mar 9;14(3). Epub 2021 Mar 9.

1st Neurology Department, Aeginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11521 Athens, Greece.

Galcanezumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody blocking the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway by targeting the CGRP. Data from four phase-3 randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials showed that galcanezumab is superior to placebo in reducing migraine headaches, migraine-specific quality of life, and headache-related disability. Most of the adverse events (AEs) were mild to moderate and did not affect trial completion rates significantly. Read More

Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2021 Mar 30;72(1):36-41. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are considered to run a higher occupational risk of becoming infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and develop coronavirus disease (COVID-19) than the rest of the population. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse the characteristics of work-related COVID-19 in Croatian HCWs. Study participants were HCWs who contacted their occupational physician between 1 May 2020 and 12 November 2020 with a request for the registration of COVID-19 as an occupational disease. Read More

MMW Fortschr Med 2021 04;163(6):28

Institut für Medizinische Informatik, Biometrie und Epidemiologie (IMIBE), Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland.

Nat Rev Neurol 2021 May 29;17(5):308-324. Epub 2021 Mar 29.

Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.

Cluster headache is a debilitating primary headache disorder that affects approximately 0.1% of the population worldwide. Cluster headache attacks involve severe unilateral pain in the trigeminal distribution together with ipsilateral cranial autonomic features and a sense of agitation. Read More

Sci Rep 2021 Mar 25;11(1):6916. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Department of Neurology, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Keun Jae Bong-gil 7, Hwaseong, 18450, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.

Although cranial autonomic symptoms (CAS) are typical in cluster headache (CH), some individuals with CH show no CAS during their headache attacks. Probable cluster headache (PCH) is a subtype of CH that fulfils all but one criterion of CH. This study aimed to investigate the frequency and clinical features of CH and PCH without CAS in comparison to those with CAS. Read More

Pain Med 2021 Mar 24. Epub 2021 Mar 24.

Department of Neurology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.

Cureus 2021 Feb 17;13(2):e13398. Epub 2021 Feb 17.

Internal Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA.

Migraine and other types of headaches have several symptoms associated with them. The association between migraine and dementia has been considered. It is a topic of discussion and appears to be multifactorial. Read More

Br J Sports Med 2021 Mar 22. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg, South Africa.

Background: There are no data relating symptoms of an acute respiratory illness (ARI) in general, and COVID-19 specifically, to return to play (RTP).

Objective: To determine if ARI symptoms are associated with more prolonged RTP, and if days to RTP and symptoms (number, type, duration and severity) differ in athletes with COVID-19 versus athletes with other ARI.

Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Read More

Curr Opin Neurol 2021 Jun;34(3):339-343

Department of Neurology, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Gender differences exist in headache disorders. A greater understanding of the role of hormones in headache can help the clinician better approach and manage common primary headache disorders.

Recent Findings: Recent studies highlight differences in how migraine and cluster headache present in women and men. Read More

Pain Physician 2021 Mar;24(2):E131-E152

Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.

Background: Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has been increasingly used to manage acute and chronic pain. However, the level of clinical evidence to support its use is not clear.

Objectives: To assess the clinical evidence of PNS in the treatment of acute or chronic pain. Read More