Hypnic headache responsive to sodium ferulate in 2 new cases.
BACKGROUND
Hypnic headache is a rare disorder characterized by frequent nocturnal attacks of a generalized headache in the elderly.


METHODS
This is the first report identifying 2 Chinese hypnic headache cases according to its diagnostic criteria. Both of the patients received sodium ferulate (100 or 50 mg, 3 times/d) for 2 or 3 months.


RESULTS
The results of polysomnography in our cases indicated the onset of headache attacks in non-rapid eye movement sleep stage 2. Their symptoms were completely relieved for 1 year after the treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that sodium ferulate could be a potential treatment for hypnic headache.
Department of Neurology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Hua
H
Peng
Lu
L
Wang
Bin
B
He
Matthew
M
Giudice
Lin
L
Zhang
Zhong-Xin
ZX
Zhao
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003373:Coumaric Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D051270:Headache Disorders, Primary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D003373:Coumaric Acids; C004999:ferulic acid