title: Analytic cognitive style in cluster headache.
abstract: Previous reports on cluster headache have shown a hypothalamic dysfunction and a hitherto unrecognized defect in the information processing pathways measured by event-related potentials. As of today, the causes are still unknown; likewise, studies on the psychological factors involved in CH have not yielded relevant data. The aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of a possible correlation between CH and a specific manner of information processing, i.e., an analytic cognitive style. This study applies two cognitive style tests that have not previously been used in the context of cluster headache: "Sternberg-Wagner Self Assessment Inventory" and the C. Cornoldi AMOS test series. Twenty-three CH patients were involved in the study and were compared with two control groups: healthy subjects and tension type headache patients. Our findings clearly indicate a significant correlation between analytic cognitive style and CH, warranting further studies focusing on the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Internal Medicine VI, Headache Center, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buonfiglio
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Sabato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality / Q000502:physiology*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D013850:Thinking / Q000502:physiology*