title: Evidence for an altered dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity in migraine and tension-type headache.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center for the Study of Headache and Neurotransmitter Disorders, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gallai
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gaiti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sarchielli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coata
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trequattrini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paciaroni
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine