Opioidergic changes in the pineal gland and hypothalamus in cluster headache: a ligand PET study.
Using PET with the opioidergic ligand [11C]diprenorphine, the authors demonstrate decreased tracer binding in the pineal gland of cluster headache patients vs healthy volunteers. Opioid receptor availability in the hypothalamus and cingulate cortex depended on the duration of the headache disorder. Therefore, the pathophysiology of cluster headache may relate to opioidergic dysfunction in circuitries generating the biologic clock.
Sprenger
T
T
Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Germany. sprenger@lrz.tu-muenchen.de
Willoch
F
F
Miederer
M
M
Schindler
F
F
Valet
M
M
Berthele
A
A
Spilker
M E
ME
Förderreuther
S
S
Straube
A
A
Stangier
I
I
Wester
H J
HJ
Tölle
T R
TR
D000328:Adult; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D004174:Diprenorphine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011859:Radiography
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D004174:Diprenorphine