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J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2006;77:622-625 doi:10.1136/jnnp.2005.081836
  • Paper

Reduction in hypothalamic 1H-MRS metabolite ratios in patients with cluster headache

  1. S-J Wang1,
  2. J-F Lirng2,
  3. J-L Fuh1,
  4. J-J Chen3
  1. 1Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan and National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
  2. 2Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine
  3. 3Nursing Department, Taipei Veterans General Hospital
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr S-J Wang
 Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, 112; sjwang{at}vghtpe.gov.tw
  • Received 6 October 2005
  • Accepted 7 December 2005
  • Revised 23 November 2005

Abstract

Objective: To determine the 1H-MR spectroscopic (MRS) findings in the hypothalamus in patients with episodic cluster headache.

Methods: 47 patients were recruited with episodic cluster headache (35 in cluster period and 12 in remission), 21 normal controls, and 16 patients with chronic migraine. The hypothalamic 1H-MRS metabolite ratio changes in patients with cluster headache were evaluated and compared with results in the normal controls as well as patients with chronic migraine. Seven patients in the cluster period group underwent a follow up hypothalamic MRS study five to six months after remission.

Results: In patients with cluster headache, the hypothalamic N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) and choline (Cho)/Cr ratios were similar between those in cluster period and in remission. As a group, both NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr levels were significantly lower in patients with cluster headache in comparison with either the control or chronic migraine groups. In those with a follow up MRS study, the levels of metabolite ratios did not differ between the cluster and remission periods.

Conclusions: This study provides evidence of persistent biochemical change of the hypothalamus in patients with episodic cluster headache. Low levels of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr suggest that cluster headache might be related to both neuronal dysfunction and changes in the membrane lipids in the hypothalamus.

Footnotes

  • Funding: this study was supported in part by grants from Taipei-Veterans General Hospital (V94–295)

  • Completing interests: none declared

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