title: Pharmacoprophylaxis of tension-type headache.
abstract: Although tension-type headache typically is not as disabling as migraine, its chronic form may significantly impair patients' functional ability. The pathogenesis of tension-type headache remains largely unknown. Compared with migraine, tension-type headache is the object of much less research. For a number of years, research on headache therapy has vastly emphasized migraine. Even cluster headache, which is far less frequent than tension-type headache, has been subject to more therapeutic trials than tension-type headache. Therefore, it is not surprising that since the advent of studies (as early as 1964) on amitriptyline, which remains a pivotal treatment choice, the number of emerging treatments for this condition remains scarce, even in 2005. This emphasizes the need for renewed interest in this field. However, alternate treatment approaches, such as botulinum toxin injections, albeit controversial, have renewed hopes lately. In addition, recent progress in the understanding of tension-type headache pathophysiology, such as the role of peripheral and central sensitization, has revived interest in the field. This is a review of available, proven, or suspected prophylactic therapies for tension-type headache.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, 711 Stanton L. Young Blvd., Suite 215, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. marc-lenaerts@ouhsc.edu
authors.forename: Marc E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lenaerts
mesh_terms: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors