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J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2001;71:747-751 doi:10.1136/jnnp.71.6.747
  • Paper

Hypothalamic involvement in chronic migraine

  1. M F P Peresa,c,
  2. M Sanchez del Riob,
  3. M L V Seabrac,
  4. S Tufikc,
  5. J Abuchamc,
  6. J Cipolla-Netod,
  7. S D Silbersteinb,
  8. E Zukermane
  1. aSao Paulo Headache Center, R Maestro Cardim, 887 01323-001, Sao Paulo SP, Brazil, bJefferson Headache Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia PA, USA, cFederal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, dUniversidade de Sao Paulo—Instituto des Ciencias Biomedicas, eHospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  1. Dr M F P Peres, Sao Paulo Headache Center, R Maestro Cardim, 887 01323-001, Sao Paulo SP, Brazilmarioperes{at}yahoo.com
  • Received 29 December 2000
  • Revised 1 May 2001
  • Accepted 20 July 2001

Abstract

OBJECTIVES Chronic migraine (CM), previously called transformed migraine, is a frequent headache disorder that affects 2%-3% of the general population. Analgesic overuse, insomnia, depression, and anxiety are disorders that are often comorbid with CM. Hypothalamic dysfunction has been implicated in its pathogenesis, but it has never been studied in patients with CM. The aim was to analyze hypothalamic involvement in CM by measurement of melatonin, prolactin, growth hormone, and cortisol nocturnal secretion.

METHODS A total of 338 blood samples (13/patient) from 17 patients with CM and nine age and sex matched healthy volunteers were taken. Melatonin, prolactin, growth hormone, and cortisol concentrations were determined every hour for 12 hours. The presence of comorbid disorders was also evaluated.

RESULTS An abnormal pattern of hypothalamic hormonal secretion was found in CM. This included: (1) a decreased nocturnal prolactin peak, (2) increased cortisol concentrations, (3) a delayed nocturnal melatonin peak in patients with CM, and (4) lower melatonin concentrations in patients with CM with insomnia. Growth hormone secretion did not differ from controls.

CONCLUSION These results support hypothalamic involvement in CM, shown by a chronobiologic dysregulation, and a possible hyperdopaminergic state in patients with CM. Insomnia might be an important variable in the study findings.

Footnotes

    Responses to this article

    • Re: Hypercortisolemia and chronic migraine
      • Mario F P Peres
      J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry published online January 28, 2002
    • Hypercortisolemia and chronic migraine
      • Eugene M Cassidy
      J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry published online December 18, 2001

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