Hypothalamic modulation of nociception and reproduction in cluster headache. I. Therapeutic trials of leuprolide.
A slow-release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) analogue was administered to 30 males suffering from chronic cluster headache (CH) in a placebo-controlled study with the aim of enhancing neurotransmission in the pain-suppressing systems of the hypothalamus through a feedback action involving neuroendocrine functions too. A significant improvement in the severity of the pain occurred together with the expected lowering of the libido and serum levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone. We postulate that the benefit of the Gn-RH analogue relates to an impairment of neuronal modulation in cluster headache.
Interuniversity Centre of Neurochemistry and Clinical Pharmacology of Idiopathic Headache, Florence University, Italy.
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D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology*; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000502:physiology; D011967:Receptors, Gonadotropin / Q000502:physiology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D011967:Receptors, Gonadotropin; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D016729:Leuprolide