Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Cluster Headache
J Headache Pain. 2008 Dec 16. [Epub ahead of print]
Functional magnetic resonance imaging in episodic cluster headache.
Morelli N, Pesaresi I, Cafforio G, Maluccio MR, Gori S, Di Salle F, Murri L.
University Centre for Adaptive Disorders and Headache (UCADH), Institute of
Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy, n.morelli@inwind.it.
We have investigated the cerebral activation centre in four patients with
episodic cluster headache (CH) with functional magnetic resonance imaging (f-MRI).
The patients underwent MRI scans for anatomical and functional data acquisition
in the asymptomatic state, during a headache attack and after subcutaneous
administration of sumatriptan. Anatomical images were acquired by means of
3D-MPRAGE sequences and f-MRI images were obtained by means of echo-planar
imaging. Data was analysed using the BrainVoyager QX version 1.7.81 software
package. In all patients, the data showed significant hypothalamic activation of
the hypothalamus ipsilateral to the pain side, attributable to a headache
attack. Overall, we have demonstrated the anatomical location of central nervous
system activation by means the first f-MRI study in CH patients. f-MRI offers a
good balance of spatial and temporal resolution, and this method of study
appears appropriate for investigating the pathogenetic aspects of primary
headaches. Positron emission tomography and f-MRI may be regarded as little or
no importance in a clinical context, they do, however, offer great potential for
the exploration of headache physiopathology and the effects of pharmacological
treatment.
PMID: 19083151 [PubMed]
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