Evidence for an altered dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity in migraine and tension-type headache.
Sympathetic dysfunction is often present in migraine. It has been suggested that serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (D beta H) can be taken as an index of peripheral sympathetic activity. We studied the serum D beta H activity in migraine with and without aura and in tension-type headache patients compared with healthy control subjects. The serum D beta H activity was significantly lower in migraine and tension-type headache patients than in the control group. No significant difference was observed among the three groups of patients studied. These findings suggest that patients with migraine and tension-type headache have a sympathetic hypofunction that may play an important role in the pathogenesis.
Gallai
V
V
Interuniversity Center for the Study of Headache and Neurotransmitter Disorders, University of Perugia, Italy.
Gaiti
A
A
Sarchielli
P
P
Coata
G
G
Trequattrini
A
A
Paciaroni
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply*; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000502:physiology*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000294:innervation*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*
D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine