Neurostimulation in headache disorders.
Although headache is a common ailment, its more severe manifestations such as intractable migraine, and trigeminal autonomic cephalagias including cluster headaches have a debilitating effect on patients resulting in chronic pain and severe functional impairment. Neurostimulation has been explored as a possible treatment option in selective drug-resistant primary headache disorders, in conducting clinical trials involving neurostimulation of deep brain structures, occipital nerves, and vagal nerves as treatment methods for refractory primary headache disorders, the selection of patients should be strictly based on pre-defined clinical criteria. The trials should be well designed, taking into account the potential risks and complications associated with such therapies.
Dafer
Rima M
RM
Department of Neurology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 South First Avenue, 2700 McGuire, Maywood, IL 60153, USA. rdafer@lumc.edu
D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D020773:Headache Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*