title: Abnormal tyrosine metabolism in chronic cluster headache.
abstract: Objective Episodic cluster headache is characterized by abnormalities in tyrosine metabolism (i.e. elevated levels of dopamine, tyramine, octopamine and synephrine and low levels of noradrenalin in plasma and platelets.) It is unknown, however, if such biochemical anomalies are present and/or constitute a predisposing factor in chronic cluster headache. To test this hypothesis, we measured the levels of dopamine and noradrenaline together with those of elusive amines, such as tyramine, octopamine and synephrine, in plasma of chronic cluster patients and control individuals. Methods Plasma levels of dopamine, noradrenaline and trace amines, including tyramine, octopamine and synephrine, were measured in a group of 23 chronic cluster headache patients (10 chronic cluster ab initio and 13 transformed from episodic cluster), and 16 control participants. Results The plasma levels of dopamine, noradrenaline and tyramine were several times higher in chronic cluster headache patients compared with controls. The levels of octopamine and synephrine were significantly lower in plasma of these patients with respect to control individuals. Conclusions These results suggest that anomalies in tyrosine metabolism play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic cluster headache and constitute a predisposing factor for the transformation of the episodic into a chronic form of this primary headache.
authors.affiliation: 1 Research and Innovation (R&I) s.r.l., Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Andrea
authors.affiliation: 2 Headache Center, Neurology Department, Clinical Neuroscience Department, C. Besta Neurological Institute IRCCS Foundation, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.affiliation: 2 Headache Center, Neurology Department, Clinical Neuroscience Department, C. Besta Neurological Institute IRCCS Foundation, Italy.
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bussone
authors.affiliation: 2 Headache Center, Neurology Department, Clinical Neuroscience Department, C. Besta Neurological Institute IRCCS Foundation, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola Di
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.affiliation: 1 Research and Innovation (R&I) s.r.l., Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bolner
authors.affiliation: 3 Headache Center, Neurology Department, Asti Hospital, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aguggia
authors.affiliation: 3 Headache Center, Neurology Department, Asti Hospital, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Gabriella
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Saracco
authors.affiliation: 4 Headache Center, Neurology Department, Vicenza Hospital, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Perini
authors.affiliation: 5 Mass Spectrometry and Metabolomic Laboratory, Institute of Pediatric Research IRP Città della Speranza, Italy.|6 Women's and Children's Health Department, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.affiliation: 5 Mass Spectrometry and Metabolomic Laboratory, Institute of Pediatric Research IRP Città della Speranza, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gucciardi
authors.affiliation: 1 Research and Innovation (R&I) s.r.l., Italy.
authors.forename: Alberta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014439:Tyramine / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014439:Tyramine
keywords: Tyrosine; headache; norepinephrine; octopamine; trace amines; tyramine