Sleep and headaches

Pediatric hypnic headache: a systematic review

Introduction

Hypnic headache (HH) is a primary headache, and it is considered a rare condition in children. The underlying mechanisms of HH are not yet fully understood. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive description of the clinical features of all published cases of pediatric HH. It will also discuss the differences in headache features between children and adults, the increased diagnostic sensitivity of the new diagnostic criteria (ICHD-3), potential pathophysiological hypotheses explaining the higher incidence in adults, differential diagnoses, and therapeutic options for children.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted to identify and analyze articles reporting cases of HH in patients under the age of 18. The search was performed in major medical databases including Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Embase, Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search covered the period from 1988 to April 2023. Relevant studies were screened for eligibility, and data extraction was performed using a standardized approach.

Results

Seven children with HH were included in the analysis. The mean age of onset for headache attacks was 10 ± 4.3 years (range 3-15 years). The average time from the start of headaches to diagnosis was 15.8 ± 25.0 months (range 1-60 months). Headache features in children differed from those observed in adult HH patients. Children experienced throbbing/pulsating pain, while adults reported dull/pressure-like pain. Children also had lower frequency and shorter duration of attacks compared to adults. The use of ICHD-3 criteria appeared to be more sensitive and inclusive for diagnosing HH in children compared to the previous ICHD-2 criteria. The association of headache attacks with sleep suggests that HH may be a primary disorder with a chronobiological origin. Hypothalamic dysfunction and melatonin dysregulation, which are more prevalent in older individuals, could potentially explain the higher incidence of HH in adults. Other primary headaches and secondary causes should be ruled out. Melatonin prophylactic therapy may be considered for pediatric patients.

Discussion

Further evaluation of the clinical features of HH in children is needed. The development of specific diagnostic criteria for pediatric cases could improve diagnostic rates and enhance the management of children with HH.

Sleep Disturbances in Adolescents With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

BACKGROUND

We aimed to assess the presence of sleep disturbances in adolescents with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and to determine whether demographic, anthropometric, and clinical factors are associated with disrupted sleep.

METHODS

Sleep disturbances and patterns were evaluated in a cohort of adolescents (aged 12 to 18 years) with ongoing IIH and compared with a healthy age- and sex-matched control group. All participants responded to three self-rating questionnaires: the School Sleep Habits Survey (SSHS), the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. The study group's demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were documented, and their association with sleep patterns was examined.

RESULTS

Thirty-three adolescents with ongoing IIH and 71 healthy controls were included. There was a significantly higher prevalence of sleep disturbances in the IIH group compared with the controls (SSHS, P < 0.001 and PSQ, P < 0.001), as well as of their independent subscales: sleep-related breathing disorders (P = 0.006), daytime sleepiness (P = 0.04), sleep/wake disruptions (P < 0.001), and sleep-related depressive tendencies (P < 0.001). According to subgroup analyses, these differences were also present between the normal-weight adolescents but not between the overweight IIH and control adolescents. No differences were found in the demographic, anthropometric, and IIH disease-related clinical measures between individuals with IIH with disrupted and normal sleep patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep disturbances are common among adolescents with ongoing IIH, irrespective of their weight and disease-related characteristics. Screening adolescents with IIH for sleep disturbances is recommended as part of their multidisciplinary management.

Microstructural changes of basal ganglia in migraine with restless legs syndrome: findings from a neuroimaging study

In this study, it is planned to investigate the integrity of the basal ganglia structures in migraineurs with restless legs syndrome (RLS) to explore this relationship. In this study, 58 patients who were diagnosed migraine and 51 healthy controls (HCs) were included. Patients diagnosed with migraine were divided into two groups: Group I (migraine without RLS) and Group II (migraine with RLS). The integrity of basal ganglia was evaluated with region of interest diffusion tensor imaging method which allows us to assess microstructural changes of the tissue. The mean age of the patients was 35.98 ± 7.92 years, and the mean age of the HCs was 33.84 ± 11.06. 84.5% (n = 49) of the patients were female and 15.5% (n = 9) were male. 82.4% (n = 42) of the HCs were female, 17.6% (n = 9) were male. The number of  the patients without RLS was 41 (Group I), and the number of the patients with RLS was 17 (Group II). When basal ganglia structures were compared between groups of the patients with and without RLS, the fractional anisotropy (FA) value of the left putamen differed (Group I: 0.30 ± 0.06 vs. Group II: 0.25 ± 0.7, p = 0.01). The significant relationship was found attack frequency and presence of RLS with left putamen FA values according to multiple regression analysis. It was determined in this study that the changes in the microstructure of putamen, one of the basal ganglia structures, may be associated with the presence of RLS in migraineurs.

Current Perspectives on the Impact of Chronic Migraine on Sleep Quality: A Literature Review

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have shown that sleep problems occur in migraineurs and poor sleep causes chronification, but the mechanisms by which chronic migraine affects sleep quality are still unknown. This review aims to analyze commonly reported sleep disturbances in chronic migraine (CM) and determine the effect of CM on sleep quality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive review of all published articles on CM and sleep quality from inception to March 2022 in the literature. Clinical trials, observational studies, and case series (≥20 cases) were included. Two reviewers and a supervisor reviewed the titles and abstracts of all search results with predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. PubMed search for randomized controlled trials and open studies on CM and sleep quality reported in English between 1983 and 2022 was conducted using the keywords including chronic migraine, sleep, insomnia, sleep quality, polysomnography, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

RESULTS

A total of 535 potentially relevant articles were found. A total of 455 articles and reviews, meta-analyses published in any language other than English, with other exclusion criteria, were excluded from the review. In the remaining articles, 36 clinical studies, reviewing sleep quality and its association with migraine, were identified and reviewed. Evidence from this review shows that poor sleep and migraine chronicity are intertwined with other accompanying comorbidities and dysregulation of circadian rhythm that innovative treatments promise to bring relief to both poor sleep as well as migraine.

CONCLUSION

Sleep disorders are common in CM and the association between migraine chronification and sleep quality is bidirectional. Comorbid conditions with accompanying frequent attacks in migraine may impair sleep quality. While the maladaptive pain process worsens sleep, poor sleep quality also negatively affects migraine pain. Sleep disturbance, which is affected by worsening migraine attacks, causes deterioration in the quality of life, loss of workforce, and economic burden.

A Bio-Psychosocial Framework for Chronic Daily Headaches: A Mixed Methods Study

Chronic daily headaches (CDH) are primarily understood from a psychophysiological formulation. A broad biopsychosocial understanding, where there is equal importance given to biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors, is underexplored in headache. Socio-cultural factors, such as gender, socio-economic factors can perpetuate and worsen the condition. For an effective and sustainable intervention, these factors need to be considered. The current study aims to explore and develop a biopsychosocial framework for headache disorders. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used and participants were recruited from a tertiary referral care hospital, Bengaluru, India. Headache Assessment Sheet, GAD 7, HDRS, PSS and B COPE were used in the quantitative phase. The data was analysed using r software. Qualitative phase of the study, in depth interview guide was used and data analysed thematically. Quantitative phase, 38 participants were recruited. The average age, was 38.02 (±10.17), majority of the participants being females 31 (81.58%). The mean duration of illness was 8.63 (±4.73) years. The anxiety scores positively correlated with pain intensity (r = 0.50 at P ≤ .001) and the median anxiety scores varied with photophobia (P ≤ .03). The anxiety scores correlated with PSS (r = 0.428 at P ≤ .007) and HDRS (r = 0.428 at P ≤ .007) scores. Gender variations in coping were seen, avoidant coping having higher median scores in women. (P ≤ .08). In qualitative phase of the study, six participants were recruited. Three main themes emerged from the qualitative phase of the study: headache - an illness, headache factors and the impact. Chronic daily headaches are influenced by biological, psychological, environmental and socio-cultural factors. A bio-psychosocial framework will help to understand and develop targeted interventions.

Association Between Insomnia and Migraine Risk: A Case-Control and Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study

Background

The causal relationship between insomnia and migraine is contradictory and no study has been carried out among the Chinese population to date.

Methods

In this case, we conducted a case–control study and a bidirectional mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to determine whether insomnia is causally related to the development of migraine. The instrumental variables for insomnia were derived from the largest genome-wide association study of 1,331,010 participants, while the genetic instruments for migraine were available from the largest meta-analysis of migraine with 59,674 cases and 316,078 controls.

Results

In case–control study, subjects with insomnia have significantly higher risk of migraine (OR=4.29, 95% CI: 3.21–5.74, P<0.001), compared with those without insomnia. The bidirectional two-sample MR analysis revealed that insomnia was significantly associated with higher risk of migraine (OR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.11–1.38, P=1.01×10-4), and the results were validated in the UK Biobank data. The results showed no indication for directional pleiotropy effects as assessed by the MR-Egger intercept (P>0.05).

Conclusion

Conclusively, our study highlighted that increased migraine risk was confined to subjects with a genetic pre-disposition to insomnia, and these findings had potential implications for improving the sleep quality to reduce the burden of migraine.

Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques to Treat Migraine

Migraine is a common and disabling neurologic disorder that often occurs alongside anxiety and mood disorders. Information is provided on the biological basis of the disorder, the interactive effects of co-morbidity, and common psychological distortions manifested by individuals with migraine. Psychological treatments based on cognitive behavioral techniques have demonstrated efficacy to treat migraine. Migraine treatment can be incorporated in private practice and integrated care settings.

Sleep disorder-related headaches

Migraine with and without aura, cluster headache, hypnic headache, and paroxysmal hemicranias are each reported as intrinsically related to sleep. Chronic migraine, chronic tension-type headache, and medication overuse headache may cause sleep disturbance. Otherwise, both headache and sleep disorder may be manifestations of a same systemic dysfunction. There is a vicious cycle linking sleep disorders and migraine. The poor quality or poor duration of sleep could be a trigger of migraine attack and migraineurs with poor sleep reported a higher headache frequency. Moreover, coping behaviors of migraineurs (e.g., going to sleep early to relieve migraine attacks) can be factors precipitating and perpetuating sleep disturbances themselves. During cluster headache, patients report a poor quality of sleep correlated with the amount of daylight. In particular, it was demonstrated that melatonin levels have influences on cluster headache attacks. Concerning the pathophysiology of hypnic headache, it has been hypothesized a possible role of obstructive sleep apnea in triggering nocturnal attacks: an increased number of apnea episodes has been reported in hypnic headache patients, but a lack of a temporal correlation of headache attacks with the drop of oxygen saturation has been observed. Tension-type headache is the most common headache with sleep dysregulation (lack of sleep or oversleeping) frequently reported as a triggering factor for acute attacks: management of sleep disturbances seems crucial in this form of headache.

Headaches and sleep problems in US adolescents: Findings from the National Comorbidity Survey - Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A)

BACKGROUND

There is limited research on the association of sleep problems with International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-II)-defined headache subtypes in youth, particularly from community-based samples. This cross-sectional study examines the associations of sleep patterns, symptoms and disorders with specific headache subtypes among adolescents from the general population of the United States.

METHODS

The sample includes 10,123 adolescents in the National Comorbidity Survey - Adolescent Supplement, a face-to-face survey of adolescents aged 13-18 years in the continental USA. Headache subtype diagnoses were based on modified ICHD-III criteria, and mood and anxiety disorders were based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria. The associations of self-reported sleep patterns and insomnia symptoms and headache status were estimated with multivariate regression models that adjust for demographic characteristics and comorbid anxiety and mood disorders.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in bedtime between youth with and without headache. However, adolescents with migraine headache reported significantly shorter sleep duration (p = .022) and earlier wakeup time (p = .002) than those without headache. Youth with any headache, particularly migraine, had significantly more sleep disturbances than those without headache. With respect to headache subtypes, youth with migraine with aura were more likely to report difficulty maintaining sleep, early morning awakening, daytime fatigue, and persistent insomnia symptoms than those with migraine without aura. However, these associations were largely accounted for by comorbid anxiety and mood disorders. There was a monotonic increase in the number of insomnia symptoms with increasingly restrictive definitions of migraine.

CONCLUSION

Pervasive sleep disturbances in adolescents with headache have important implications for the evaluation, treatment and etiology of pediatric headache.

When a private community neurology practice executes home sleep apnea testing: benefits identified and lessons learned in a retrospective observational study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility and utility of a private community neurology practice-initiated home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) program.

METHODS

A private community neurology practice conducted HSAT on patients clinically identified as high risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). An academic board-certified sleep specialist performed all study interpretations. The presence and severity of OSA and its association with patient demographics (eg, sex, age) and comorbid health conditions relevant to OSA were evaluated.

RESULTS

During 2011-2014, 147 consecutive patients clinically identified as highly "at risk for OSA" during their neurological visit underwent HSAT. Sixty-one percent (n=89) of patients had a "positive" study with evidence of an apnea-hypopnea index of greater than 5 events per hour. Of those, 37% (n=54) had mild OSA and 24% (n=35) had moderate-severe OSA. OSA was more common among men (54%, n=48) and in individuals with a previous documented history of depression (33%, n=48) and hypertension 44% (n=64). OSA treatment was ordered in 44% (n=39) of patients by the neurologists or by a sleep specialist. Twenty-four percent (n=21) of all patients studied were referred to a sleep specialist.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of HSAT in a (nonsleep) private community neurology practice in collaboration with an academic sleep program is recommended. Based on this observational study, community-based neurological practices and board-certified sleep specialists should consider teaming up to develop HSAT collaborative programs to open new sleep care access pathways for neurological patients often at risk for sleep apnea.

[Association of sleep disorders with headache]

AIM

The aim of the present study was to investigate the connection of sleep disorders (SD) with a headache (HA) among the representative sample of population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

1115 inhabitants of Chuvashia (491 men and 624 women) aged from 18 to 70 years old have been interviewed (middle age 38.7±13.9 years old); respondents under 18 and over 70 years old were not included into the research. There were 690 city residents, and 425 residents of the rural areas. The questionnaire approved earlier in the research of HA, and also the questions directed to identification of SD were used. One-way ANOVA, Chi-square test were used to compare variables of the groups.

RESULTS

There were 718 (64.4%) respondents with SD and HA (the main group), 366 (23.8%) with HA without SD (comparative group), 16 (1.4%) with SD without HA, and 15 (1.3%) without SD and HA. The main group of the respondents authentically differed from other groups in older age, a larger number of women and villagers, presence of concomitant diseases in them. In the respondents with SD arose more often, pain had the combined (polymorphic) character, HA were more severe, localized in several areas of the head, but were of smaller duration. Among them there were more people with short sleep duration (<5 hours of night dream) and accepting sedative-hypnotic medications. HA without SD had a pricking character more often; the respondents more often slept in the afternoon, differed in higher level of education, and a rarer occurrence of cases of the increased arterial pressure.

CONCLUSION

SD are often connected with HA, with their frequency, expressiveness and localization. Development of SD from HA are influenced by existence of concomitant diseases, age, gender and the place a residence. SD make the current of HA more severe.

Excessive daytime sleepiness in secondary chronic headache from the general population

BACKGROUND

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS, defined as Epworth sleepiness scale score > 10) is a common symptom, with a prevalence of 10-20% in the general population. It is associated with headache and other chronic pain disorders. However, little is known about the prevalence of EDS among people with secondary chronic headaches.

FINDINGS

A total of 30,000 persons aged 30-44 from the general population was screened for headache by a questionnaire. The 633 eligible participants with self-reported chronic headache were interviewed and examined by a headache specialist who applied the International Classification of Headache Disorders with supplementary definitions for chronic rhinosinusitis and cervicogenic headache. A total of 93 participants had secondary chronic headache and completed the ESS. A total of 47 participants had chronic post-traumatic headache (CPTH) and/or cervicogenic headache (CEH), 39 participants had headache attributed to chronic rhinosinusitis (HACRS), while 7 had other secondary headaches. 23.3% of those with CPTH, CEH or HACRS reported EDS. In multivariable logistic regression analysis the odds ratios of EDS were not significantly different in people with CPTH/CEH or HACRS.

CONCLUSION

Almost one out of four subjects with secondary chronic headache reported EDS with no differences between the various secondary chronic headaches.

Anxiety and Mood Clinical Profile following Sport-related Concussion: From Risk Factors to Treatment

Conceptual models for assessing and treating sport-related concussion (SRC) have evolved from a homogenous approach to include different clinical profiles that reflect the heterogeneous nature of this injury and its effects. There are six identified clinical profiles, or subtypes from SRC, and one such clinical profile is the anxiety/mood profile. Athletes with this profile experience predominant emotional disturbance and anxiety following SRC. The purpose of this targeted review was to present an overview of the empirical evidence to support factors contributing to the anxiety/mood profile, along with methods of evaluation and treatment of this clinical profile following SRC. We discuss the potential underlying mechanisms and risk factors for this clinical profile, describe comprehensive assessments to evaluate concussed athletes with an anxiety/mood clinical profile, and explore behavioral and other interventions for treating these athletes. Although there is limited, but growing empirical evidence for the anxiety/mood clinical profile following SRC, understanding this clinical profile is germane for clinicians who are treating athletes with emotional sequelae after SRC.

Determinants for craniofacial pains in children 6-8 years of age: the PANIC study

OBJECTIVE

Determinants for orofacial pain, headache, morning headache and painful signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) were investigated in prepubertal children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The participants were a population sample of 439 children aged 6-8 years. Craniofacial pains, eating meals and snacks, sleep bruxism, sleep quality, sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), psychological well-being, parental education and household income were assessed by questionnaires filled out by the parents. Sleep duration was assessed using a combined heart rate and movement sensor and clinical signs of TMD and dental occlusion by a dentist. The determinants of pain conditions were analyzed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of all 439 children, 26% had experienced orofacial pain and 31% headache during the past 3 months, 17% had suffered morning headache weekly and 13% had painful signs of TMD in a clinical examination. Restless sleep was associated with increased risk of orofacial pain, the painful signs of TMD and restless sleep with increased risk of headache and restless sleep, sleep bruxism and skipping meals with increased risk of morning headache after adjustment for other independent determinants of these pain conditions. Headache was associated with increased risk for painful signs of TMD.

CONCLUSIONS

Craniofacial pains are common among prepubertal children. Prepubertal children with sleep bruxism, restless sleep and skipping meals have increased likelihood of craniofacial pains.

Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality among migraineurs: A population-based study

Background Sleep disturbances are closely related to migraine. Nevertheless, information regarding the impact of short sleep duration and poor sleep quality on the clinical presentation of migraine at population level is limited. Methods This study was a nationwide population-based survey on adults aged 19-69 years. Headache frequency (attacks/month) and intensity (visual analogue scale, 0-10) were documented. Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality were defined as average sleep duration <6 h/day and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score >5, respectively. The association of sleep parameters with headache frequency and intensity was analysed among migraineurs. Results Of 2695 participants, 143 (5.3%) had migraine. Headache frequency was significantly higher among migraineurs with short sleep duration (2.0 [1.0-12.0] vs. 1.0 [0.3-4.0], p = 0.048) and poor sleep quality (2.0 [0.6-4.7] vs. 1.0 [0.2-3.0], p = 0.009) than among those without. However, headache intensity was similar between migraineurs with short sleep duration and poor sleep quality. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that short sleep duration was a significant contributing factor for headache frequency (β = 0.210, p = 0.015). Conclusions Self-reported short sleep duration (<6 h per day) is associated with an increased headache frequency among migraineurs in a population-based setting.

Cortical Spreading Depression Closes Paravascular Space and Impairs Glymphatic Flow: Implications for Migraine Headache

Functioning of the glymphatic system, a network of paravascular tunnels through which cortical interstitial solutes are cleared from the brain, has recently been linked to sleep and traumatic brain injury, both of which can affect the progression of migraine. This led us to investigate the connection between migraine and the glymphatic system. Taking advantage of a novel in vivo method we developed using two-photon microscopy to visualize the paravascular space (PVS) in naive uninjected mice, we show that a single wave of cortical spreading depression (CSD), an animal model of migraine aura, induces a rapid and nearly complete closure of the PVS around surface as well as penetrating cortical arteries and veins lasting several minutes, and gradually recovering over 30 min. A temporal mismatch between the constriction or dilation of the blood vessel lumen and the closure of the PVS suggests that this closure is not likely to result from changes in vessel diameter. We also show that CSD impairs glymphatic flow, as indicated by the reduced rate at which intraparenchymally injected dye was cleared from the cortex to the PVS. This is the first observation of a PVS closure in connection with an abnormal cortical event that underlies a neurological disorder. More specifically, the findings demonstrate a link between the glymphatic system and migraine, and suggest a novel mechanism for regulation of glymphatic flow.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Impairment of brain solute clearance through the recently described glymphatic system has been linked with traumatic brain injury, prolonged wakefulness, and aging. This paper shows that cortical spreading depression, the neural correlate of migraine aura, closes the paravascular space and impairs glymphatic flow. This closure holds the potential to define a novel mechanism for regulation of glymphatic flow. It also implicates the glymphatic system in the altered cortical and endothelial functioning of the migraine brain.

Neurologic Diseases and Sleep

Sleep disorders and neurologic illness are common and burdensome in their own right; when combined, they can have tremendous negative impact at an individual level as well as societally. The socioeconomic burden of sleep disorders and neurologic illness can be identified, but the real cost of these conditions lies far beyond the financial realm. There is an urgent need for comprehensive care and support systems to help with the burden of disease. Further research in improving patient outcomes in those who suffer with these conditions will help patients and their families, and society in general.

Excessive daytime sleepiness is associated with an exacerbation of migraine: A population-based study

Background

Previous studies have shown that migraine and sleep disturbances are closely associated. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a common symptom of various types of sleep disturbance. Findings from clinic-based studies suggest that a high percentage of migraineurs experience EDS. However, the prevalence and clinical impact of EDS among migraineurs at the population level have rarely been reported. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and impact of EDS among migraineurs using a population-based sample in Korea.

Methods

We selected a stratified random sample of Koreans aged 19 to 69 years and evaluated them using a semi-structured interview designed to identify EDS, headache type, and the clinical characteristics of migraine. If the score on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was more than or equal to 11, the participant was classified as having EDS.

Results

Of the 2,695 participants that completed the interview, 143 (5.3 %) and 313 (11.6 %) were classified as having migraine and EDS, respectively. The prevalence of EDS was significantly higher in participants with migraine (19.6 %) and non-migraine headache (13.4 %) compared to non-headache controls (9.4 %). Migraineurs with EDS had higher scores on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for headache intensity (6.9 ± 1.8 vs. 6.0 ± 1.9, p = 0.014) and Headache Impact Test-6 (59.8 ± 10.2 vs. 52.5 ± 8.2, p < 0.001) compared to migraineurs without EDS.

Conclusions

Approximately 20 % of migraineurs had EDS in this population-based sample. Excessive daytime sleepiness was associated with an exacerbation of some migraine symptoms.

Headache and ADHD in Pediatric Age: Possible Physiopathological Links

Primary headache and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are common disorders in children and adolescences, frequently associated to severe cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impairments. They both are a disabling condition with consequences on family and child's quality of life. Literature data on their association are contrasting. Dopaminergic system dysfunction, brain iron deficiency, and sleep disturbance should be considered to better understand headache and ADHD overlap. In this review, we analyze the complex association between these two diseases and the potential impact on child neurodevelopment.

What Have We Learned From Brain Functional Connectivity Studies in Migraine Headache?

Over the past 20 years, headache syndromes, especially migraine, have benefited significantly from the knowledge gained through neuroimaging studies. This article is focused on the neuroimaging studies of the functional organization and connectivity of the migraine brain. First, data sources and the study design elements in functional neuroimaging studies of the brain connectivity in migraine headaches are discussed. Then, the article reviews the findings to date and discusses how functional connectivity studies have contributed to a better understanding of the mechanisms of the migraine disease by extending the focus from a single region or structure to a network of regions and structures and the interactions among them. Finally, the potential scenarios for the translation of connectivity knowledge to the benefit for patients are discussed.

Sleep disturbances among pregnant women with history of migraines: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Migraine is associated with sleep disturbances in men and non-pregnant women. However, relatively little is known about sleep disturbances among pregnant migraineurs. We investigated sleep disturbances among pregnant women with and without history of migraine.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1324 women who were recruited during early pregnancy. Migraine diagnoses were based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders-II criteria. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire was used to evaluate sleep-related characteristics including sleep duration, sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and other sleep traits. Multivariable logistic regression procedures were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Migraineurs were more likely than non-migraineurs to report short sleep duration (<6.5 hours) (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.07-2.02), poor sleep quality (PSQI>5) (AOR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.35-2.23), and daytime dysfunction due to sleepiness (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.12-2.02). Migraineurs were also more likely than non-migraineurs to report taking sleep medication during pregnancy (AOR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.20-2.42). Associations were generally similar for migraine with or without aura. The odds of sleep disturbances were particularly elevated among pre-pregnancy overweight migraineurs.

CONCLUSION

Migraine headache and sleep disturbances are common comorbid conditions among pregnant women.

Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Adolescents in Relation to Mobile Phone Use during Night

Many adolescents tend to leave their mobile phones turned on during night, accepting that they may be awakened by an incoming text message or call. Using self-reported and objective operator recorded mobile phone use data, we thus aimed to analyze how being awakened during night by mobile phone affects adolescents' perceived health and cognitive functions. In this cross-sectional study, 439 adolescents completed questionnaires about their mobile phone use during night, health related quality of life and possible confounding factors. Standardized computerized cognitive tests were performed to assess memory and concentration capacity. Objective operator recorded mobile phone use data was further collected for 233 study participants. Data were analyzed by multivariable regression models adjusted for relevant confounders including amount of mobile phone use. For adolescents reporting to be awakened by a mobile phone during night at least once a month the odds ratio for daytime tiredness and rapid exhaustibility were 1.86 (95% CI: 1.02-3.39) and 2.28 (95% CI: 0.97-5.34), respectively. Similar results were found when analyzing objective operator recorded mobile phone use data (tiredness: 1.63, 95% CI: 0.94-2.82 and rapid exhaustibility: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.01-5.36). The cognitive tests on memory and concentration capacity were not related to mobile phone use during night. Overall, being awakened during night by mobile phone was associated with an increase in health symptom reports such as tiredness, rapid exhaustibility, headache and physical ill-being, but not with memory and concentration capacity. Prevention strategies should focus on helping adolescents set limits for their accessibility by mobile phone, especially during night.

Tension-type headache and sleep

This review describes empirical evidence for a bidirectional relationship between tension-type headache (TTH) and sleep. In its most severe form, chronic TTH (CTTH) affects 2-3 % of the population and can be very disabling. Sleep dysregulation triggers episodic TTH, and sleep disorders may complicate and exacerbate headache. The majority of CTTH sufferers also have insomnia, and longitudinal data suggest that insomnia is a risk factor for new-onset TTH. Similarly, observational studies suggest that sleep disturbance is a risk factor for new-onset TTH and for progression from episodic to chronic TTH (i.e., headache "chronification"). CTTH is the most common headache secondary to sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing disorders. Psychiatric disorders are comorbid with both TTH and insomnia and may further complicate diagnosis and treatment. Developments in diagnostic classification of sleep-related headache are presented.

Sleep apnoea headache in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients presenting with morning headache: comparison of the ICHD-2 and ICHD-3 beta criteria

Background

Morning headache is associated with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS); however, OSAS patients present with various characteristics of morning headache, and they often do not fulfil the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-2 criteria for “sleep apnoea headache”. The aims of this study were to assess the new ICHD-3 beta criteria for sleep apnoea headache in OSAS patients and to evaluate the differences with the ICHD-2.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey regarding morning and sleep apnoea headaches that included 235 OSAS outpatients receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. The presence of morning headache was evaluated by reviewing the medical records before administration of CPAP treatment.

Results

Of all of the OSAS patients, 48 (20.4 %) reported morning headaches. Of the 48 patients with morning headaches, 29 (60.4 %) and 39 (81.3 %) fulfilled the ICHD-2 and ICHD-3 beta criteria for sleep apnoea headache, respectively. The increased frequency of individuals who qualified for diagnosis was likely attributable to the extension of headache duration from 30 min to 4 h. The severity of OSAS was not associated with the presence of sleep apnoea headache.

Conclusions

The utilisation of ICHD-3 beta criteria is clinically useful for diagnosing sleep apnoea headache in patients with OSAS. Applying the ICHD-3 beta criteria was of clinical significance when considering the marked response of these headaches to CPAP therapy. The cause of sleep apnoea headache remains to be elucidated.

Headaches and sleep disorders

Headaches and sleep disorders are associated in a complex manner. Both the disorders are common in the general population, but the relationship between the two is more than coincidental. Sleep disorders can exacerbate headache sand the converse is also true. Treatment of sleep disorders can have a positive impact on the treatment of headaches. Screening for sleep disorders should be considered in all patients with headaches. This can be accomplished with brief screening tools. Those who screen positively can be further evaluated or referred to asleep specialist.

Headache and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in children: common condition with complex relation and disabling consequences

The aim of this review was to analyze literature data on the complex association between headache and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, in order to explore its possible consequences on child neurological development. Headache and ADHD are two common conditions in the pediatric population. They both are disabling diseases that impact the child's quality of life and are associated with severe cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impairments. To assess and analyze literature data about the association of ADHD and headache in children and possible physiopathogenesis relationships, we searched for the following terms: headache, migraine, tension-type headache, ADHD, and children (MESH or text words). We found different studies that assess the clinical, epidemiological, and physiopathogenetic overlap between these two diseases, with contrasting results and unresolved questions. Structural and functional abnormalities in brain networks have been found to be central in both headache and ADHD pathophysiology. It will be crucial to gain a better understanding of how subcortical-cortical and corticocortical network development is altered during the onset of the disorders.

Functional comorbidity index in sleep apnea

OBJECTIVES

(1) Measure the association between the Functional Comorbidity Index (range, 0-18) and physical function health status (SF-36 Physical Function domain), general physical health status (SF-36 Physical Component Score), and general mental health status (SF-36 Mental Component Score) outcome measures in a cohort of sleep apnea patients. (2) Test if the Functional Comorbidity Index is more strongly associated (a better predictor) than the well-known Charlson Comorbidity Index (range, 0-37) with these SF-36 outcome measures.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

University of Washington Sleep Center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In a cohort of newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea patients (N = 233), we obtained scores for the Functional Comorbidity Index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and SF-36. We calculated Spearman correlations and adjusted coefficients of determination (R2) with multiple linear regression, adjusted for demographic and health covariates. Bootstrapping generated R2 distributions for statistical comparison.

RESULTS

Functional Comorbidity Index scores (mean ± standard deviation 2.4 ± 1.7) were more widely distributed than Charlson Comorbidity Index scores (0.7 ± 1.4). The Functional Comorbidity Index was significantly correlated with SF-36 Physical Function (-0.53, P < .001), Physical Component Score (-0.44, P < .001), and Mental Component Score (-0.38, P < .001). The Functional Comorbidity Index was a better predictor than the Charlson Comorbidity Index of SF-36 Physical Function (R (2) mean ± standard error 0.27 ± 0.05 vs. 0.17 ± 0.05, P < .001), Physical Component Score (0.23 ± 0.05 vs. 0.17 ± 0.05, P < .001), and Mental Component Score (0.23 ± 0.05 vs. 0.13 ± 0.05, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

The Functional Comorbidity Index is a more robust predictor of general health status than the Charlson Comorbidity Index in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

Do nocturnal headaches matter? A prospective diary study on subjective sleep parameters in snorers and their bed partners

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to assess the influence of nocturnal headaches (NH) on subjective sleep parameters prospectively in habitual snorers and their bed partners.

METHODS

We recruited habitual snorers and their bed partners via newspaper articles. The participants completed a semistructured interview, filled in questionnaires about quality of sleep (PSQI), daytime sleepiness (ESS), depression (SDS) and anxiety (SAS) and they kept a 90-day headache and sleep diary.

RESULTS

Seventy-six snorers (25 female) and 41 bed partners (31 female) completed the study recording a total of 6690 and 3497 diary days, respectively. NH were recorded on 222 (3.3%) and 79 (2.2%) days in 32 (42%) snorers and 17 (41%) bed partners, respectively. Snorers with NH showed significantly higher PSQI (5 ± 3 vs. 4 ± 2, p = 0.004), SAS (38 ± 11 vs. 31 ± 10, p = 0.011) and SDS scores (39 ± 12 vs. 34 ± 10, p = 0.048) than snorers without NH. For bed partners with NH we found a significant female predominance (sex ratio f:m = 16:1 vs. 12:12, p = 0.005) and significantly higher SAS scores (38 ± 6 vs. 33 ± 8, p = 0.030) compared with bed partners without NH. The subjective quality of sleep in habitual snorers (p < 0.001) as well as their bed partners (p = 0.017) was negatively influenced by NH, but not total sleep time.

DISCUSSION

NH occurred in around 40% of snorers and their bed partners at least once during the 90-day observation period. Our results confirmed a negative impact on the subjective quality of sleep in both groups.

Is There a Relation between Tension-Type Headache, Temporomandibular Disorders and Sleep?

Introduction. Tension-Type Headache (TTH) is the most prevalent headache often associated with impaired function and quality of life. Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and TTH frequently coexist; characterized by pericranial tenderness and impact on daily life. We aim to apply a standardized questionnaire for TMD to characterize and analyse an eventual relation between sleep and oral health in TTH in a controlled design. Material and Methods. 58 consecutive TTH patients and 58 healthy controls were included. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) questionnaire, Oral Health Impact profile (OHIP) and questionnaires for sleep were applied. Results. TTH-patients had significantly higher pain scores (P < 0.001), decreased quality of life (P < 0.001), and higher total sleep scores (P < 0.001) compared to controls. Conclusion. For the first time we have identified a clear relation between TTH and TMD symptoms, depression, anxiety, poor sleep, and impairments of oral function in carefully classified patients. These findings indicate a close, but incomplete, overlap between TTH and TMD. Their underlying pathophysiological mechanisms need further research.

Sleep-related headache and its management

OPINION STATEMENT

Sleep and headache have both generated curiosity within the human mind for centuries. The relationship between headache and sleep disorders is very complex. While Lieving in 1873 first observed that headaches were linked to sleep, Dexter and Weitzman in 1970 described the relationship between headache and sleep stages. Though our understanding of sleep and headache relationship has improved over the years with expanding knowledge in both fields and assessment tools such as polysomnography, it is still poorly understood. Headache and sleep have an interdependent relationship. Headache may be intrinsically related to sleep (migraine with and without aura, cluster headache, hypnic headache, and paroxysmal hemicrania), may cause sleep disturbance (chronic migraine, chronic tension-type headache, and medication overuse headache) or a manifestation of a sleep disorder like obstructive sleep apnea. Headache and sleep disorder may be a common manifestation of systemic dysfunction-like anemia and hypoxemia. Headaches may occur during sleep, after sleep, and in relation to different sleep stages. Lack of sleep and excessive sleep are both considered triggers for migraine. Insomnia is more common among chronic headache patients. Experimental data suggest that there is a common anatomic and physiologic substrate. There is overwhelming evidence that cluster headache and hypnic headaches are chronobiological disorders with strong association with sleep and involvement of hypothalamus. Cluster headache shows a circadian and circannual rhythmicity while hypnic headache shows an alarm clock pattern. There is also a preferential occurrence of cluster headache, hypnic headache, and paroxysmal hemicrania during REM sleep. Silencing of anti-nociceptive network of periaqueductal grey (PAG), locus ceruleus and dorsal raphe nucleus doing REM sleep may explain the preferential pattern. Sleep related headaches can be classified into (1) headaches with high association with obstructive sleep apnea, which includes cluster headache, hypnic headache, and headache related to obstructive sleep apnea; and (2) headaches with high prevalence of insomnia, medication overuse, and psychiatric comorbidity including chronic migraine and chronic tension-type headache. The initial step in the management of sleep related headache is proper diagnosis with exclusion of secondary headaches. Screening for sleep disorders with the use of proper tests including polysomnography and referral to sleep clinic, when appropriate is very helpful. Control of individual episode in less than 2 hours should be the initial goal using measures to abort and prevent a relapse. Cluster headache responds very well to injectable Imitrex and oxygen. Verapamil, steroids and lithium are used for preventive treatment of cluster headache. Intractable cluster headache patients have responded to hypothalamic deep brain stimulation. Hypnic headache patients respond to nightly caffeine, indomethacin, and lithium. Paroxysmal hemicrania responds very well to indomethacin. Early morning headaches associated with obstructive sleep apnea respond to CPAP or BiPAP with complete resolution of headache within a month. Patient education and lifestyle modification play a significant role in overall success of the treatment. Chronic tension-type headache and chronic migraine have high prevalence of insomnia and comorbid psychiatric disorders, which require behavioral insomnia treatment and medication if needed along with psychiatric evaluation. Apart from the abortive treatment tailored to the headache types, - such as triptans and DHE 45 for migraine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication for chronic tension-type headache, preventive treatment with different class of medications including antiepileptics (Topamax and Depakote), calcium channel blockers (verapamil), beta blockers (propranolol), antidepressants (amitriptyline), and Botox may be used depending upon the comorbid conditions.

Comorbidities of sleep disorders in childhood and adolescence: focus on migraine

The correlation and/or comorbidity between sleep disorders and headache has been reported in numerous studies, but the exact nature of the association between headache, disordered sleep, and underlying mechanisms remains poorly understood. The bidirectional association between sleep and headache is mediated by a temporal link (headache occurs during sleep, after sleep, and in relationship with sleep stages), by a quantitative relationship (excess, lack, bad quality, short duration of sleep may trigger headache), and by a reciprocal connection (headache may cause sleep disruption and may be associated with several sleep disturbances). This association is most evident for primary headache disorders, especially in childhood. A congenital alteration of neurotransmitter pathways (serotoninergic and dopaminergic) might predispose individuals to both disorders, presenting as sleep-wake rhythm disorder in infancy or as headache disorder later in childhood, as result of this neurotransmitter imbalance. Clinicians should be aware that a complete clinical evaluation of childhood headache includes a careful sleep history, taking into account that the treatment of sleep disturbances could lead to an improvement of headache symptoms and vice versa.

Sleep-related headaches

Irrespective of diagnosis, chronic daily, morning, or "awakening" headache patterns are soft signs of a sleep disorder. Sleep apnea headache may emerge de novo or may present as an exacerbation of cluster, migraine, tension-type, or other headache. Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorder in chronic migraine and tension-type headache, and increases risk for depression and anxiety. Sleep disturbance (e.g., sleep loss, oversleeping, schedule shift) is an acute headache trigger for migraine and tension-type headache. Snoring and sleep disturbance are independent risk factors for progression from episodic to chronic headache.

Sleep loss as risk factor for neurologic disorders: a review

Sleep loss refers to sleep of shorter duration than the average baseline need of seven to eight hours per night. Sleep loss and sleep deprivation have severe effects on human health. In this article, we review the main aspects of sleep loss, taking into account its effects on the central nervous system. The neurocognitive and behavioral effects of sleep loss are well known. However, there is an increasing amount of research pointing to sleep deprivation as a risk factor for neurologic diseases, namely stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, headache, epilepsy, pain, and somnambulism. Conversely, sleep loss has been reported to be a potential protective factor against Parkinson's disease. The pathophysiology involved in this relationship is multiple, comprising immune, neuroendocrine, autonomic, and vascular mechanisms. It is extremely important to identify the individuals at risk, since recognition and adequate treatment of their sleep problems may reduce the risk of certain neurologic disorders.

Classification of sleep disorders

The classification of sleep disorders is necessary to discriminate between disorders and to facilitate an understanding of symptoms, etiology, and pathophysiology that allows for appropriate treatment. The earliest classification systems, largely organized according to major symptoms (insomnia, excessive sleepiness, and abnormal events that occur during sleep), were unable to be based on pathophysiology because the cause of most sleep disorders was unknown. These 3 symptom-based categories are easily understood by physicians and are therefore useful for developing a differential diagnosis. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders, version 2, published in 2005 and currently undergoing revision, combines a symptomatic presentation (e.g., insomnia) with 1 organized in part on pathophysiology (e.g., circadian rhythms) and in part on body systems (e.g., breathing disorders). This organization of sleep disorders is necessary because of the varied nature and because the pathophysiology for many of the disorders is still unknown. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders, version 2 provides relevant diagnostic and epidemiological information on sleep disorders to more easily differentiate between the disorders.

Understanding migraine through the lens of maladaptive stress responses: a model disease of allostatic load

The brain and body respond to potential and actual stressful events by activating hormonal and neural mediators and modifying behaviors to adapt. Such responses help maintain physiological stability ("allostasis"). When behavioral or physiological stressors are frequent and/or severe, allostatic responses can become dysregulated and maladaptive ("allostatic load"). Allostatic load may alter brain networks both functionally and structurally. As a result, the brain's responses to continued/subsequent stressors are abnormal, and behavior and systemic physiology are altered in ways that can, in a vicious cycle, lead to further allostatic load. Migraine patients are continually exposed to such stressors, resulting in changes to central and peripheral physiology and function. Here we review how changes in brain states that occur as a result of repeated migraines may be explained by a maladaptive feedforward allostatic cascade model and how understanding migraine within the context of allostatic load model suggests alternative treatments for this often-debilitating disease.

Treatment outcomes of chronic post-traumatic headaches after mild head trauma in US soldiers: an observational study

BACKGROUND

he effectiveness of medical therapies for chronic post-traumatic headaches (PTHs) attributable to mild head trauma in military troops has not been established.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the treatment outcomes of acute and prophylactic medical therapies prescribed for chronic PTHs after mild head trauma in US Army soldiers.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 100 soldiers undergoing treatment for chronic PTH at a single US Army neurology clinic. Headache frequency and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) scores were determined at the initial clinic visit and then again by phone 3 months after starting headache prophylactic medication. Response rates of headache abortive medications were also determined. Treatment outcomes were compared between subjects with blast-related PTH and non-blast PTH.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine of 100 subjects were male. Seventy-seven of 100 subjects had blast PTH and 23/100 subjects had non-blast PTH. Headache characteristics were similar for blast PTH and non-blast PTH with 96% and 95%, respectively, resembling migraine. Headache frequency among all PTH subjects decreased from 17.1 days/month at baseline to 14.5 days/month at follow-up (P = .009). Headache frequency decreased by 41% among non-blast PTH compared to 9% among blast PTH. Fifty-seven percent of non-blast PTH subjects had a 50% or greater decline in headache frequency compared to 29% of blast PTH subjects (P =.023). A significant decline in headache frequency occurred in subjects treated with topiramate (n = 29, -23%, P = .02) but not among those treated with a low-dose tricyclic antidepressant (n = 48, -12%, P = .23). Seventy percent of PTH subjects who used a triptan class medication experienced reliable headache relief within 2 hours compared to 42% of subjects using other headache abortive medications (P = .01). Triptan medications were effective for both blast PTH and non-blast PTH (66% response rate vs 86% response rate, respectively; P = .20). Headache-related disability, as measured by mean MIDAS scores, declined by 57% among all PTH subjects with no significant difference between blast PTH (-56%) and non-blast PTH (-61%).

CONCLUSIONS

Triptan class medications are usually effective for aborting headaches in military troops with chronic PTH attributed to a concussion from a blast injury or non-blast injury. Topiramate appears to be an effective headache prophylactic therapy in military troops with chronic PTH, whereas low doses of tricyclic antidepressants appear to have little efficacy. Chronic PTH triggered by a blast injury may be less responsive to commonly prescribed headache prophylactic medications compared to non-blast PTH. These conclusions require validation by prospective, controlled clinical trials.

Tension-type headache and sleep apnea in the general population

The main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between tension-type headache and obstructive sleep apnea in the general population. The method involves a cross-sectional population-based study. A random age and gender stratified sample of 40,000 persons aged 20-80 years residing in Akershus, Hedmark or Oppland County, Norway were drawn by the National Population Register. A postal questionnaire containing the Berlin Questionnaire was used to classify respondents to be of either high or low risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Included in this study were 297 persons with high risk and 134 persons with low risk of sleep apnea, aged 30-65 years. They underwent an extensive clinical interview, a physical and a neurological examination by physicians, and in-hospital polysomnography. Those with apnea hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥5 were classified with obstructive sleep apnea. Tension-type headache was diagnosed according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Results showed the prevalence of frequent and chronic tension-type headache was 18.7 and 2.1% in the participants with obstructive sleep apnea. The logistic regression analyses showed no significant relationship between tension-type headache and obstructive sleep apnea, with adjusted odds ratios for frequent tension-type headache of 0.95 (0.55-1.62) and chronic tension-type headache of 1.91 (0.37-9.85). The results did not change when using cut-off of moderate (AHI ≥15) and severe (AHI ≥30) obstructive sleep apnea. Thus, we did not find any significant relationship between tension-type headache and the AHI. The presence and severity of sleep apneas seem not to influence presence and attack-frequency of tension-type headache in the general population.

Joint hypermobility syndrome: A common clinical disorder associated with migraine in women

Preliminary studies suggested that headache disorders are more common in patients with joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS). The objectives of this study were to determine if the prevalence, frequency, and disability of migraine differ between female patients with JHS and a control population. Twenty-eight patients with JHS and 232 controls participated in the case-cohort study. Participants underwent a structured verbal interview and were assigned a diagnosis of migraine based on criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition. The primary outcome measures were the prevalence, frequency, and headache-related disability of migraine. Logistic regression was used for the prevalence analysis and Poisson regression for the frequency and disability analyses. Results indicated that the prevalence of migraine was 75% in JHS patients and 43% in controls. The adjusted odds ratio for the prevalence of migraine was 3.19 (95% CI 1.24, 8.21] in JHS patients. The rate ratios for migraine frequency and headache-related disability were 1.67 (95% CI 1.01, 2.76) and 2.99 (95% CI 1.66, 5.38), respectively, for JHS patients. Our study suggests that JHS is a clinical disorder strongly associated with an increased prevalence, frequency, and disability of migraine in females.

Rehabilitation in the patient with mild traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has garnered increased public attention in the past several years because of high-profile athletes with possible long-term effects of their injuries as well as large numbers of returning combat veterans injured by blast explosions. Most of these injuries are mild in nature and require no specific surgical treatment but may benefit from brief rehabilitation interventions. To appropriately rehabilitate patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), one must fully understand its clinical course and the factors that accelerate or delay recovery. Education is the centerpiece of mTBI treatment and should be included in the rehabilitation plan. When devising the rehabilitation plan, the neurologist should take into account the goals of the patient and establish a reasonable time frame for treatment paralleling the expected recovery course. Cognitive and vestibular functions are commonly affected after mTBI and are particularly responsive to rehabilitation interventions. Vocational rehabilitation and community reentry planning are aspects of the global rehabilitation plan that should not be neglected. Combat-injured veterans with mTBI present unique challenges to the rehabilitation team, and assessment of these patients often needs to include assessment of psychological function.

Associations between sleep disturbance and primary headaches: the third Nord-Trøndelag Health Study

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between sleep disturbance and headache type and frequency, in a random sample of participants in the third Nord-Trøndelag Health Survey. The headache diagnoses were set by neurologists using the ICHD-2 criteria performing a semi structured face-to-face interview. Sleep problems were measured by the two validated instruments Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire (KSQ) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Among 297 participants, 77 subjects were headache-free, whereas 135 were diagnosed with tension-type headache (TTH), 51 with migraine, and 34 with other headache diagnoses. In the multivariate analyses, using logistic regression, excessive daytime sleepiness, defined as ESS ≥ 10, was three times more likely among migraineurs compared with headache-free individuals (OR = 3.3, 95% CI 1.0–10.2). Severe sleep disturbances, defined as KSQ score in the upper quartile, was five times more likely among migraineurs (OR = 5.4, 95% CI 2.0–15.5), and three times more likely for subjects with TTH (OR = 3.3, 1.4–7.3) compared with headache-free individuals. Subjects with chronic headache were 17 times more likely to have severe sleep disturbances (OR = 17.4, 95% CI 5.1–59.8), and the association was somewhat stronger for chronic migraine (OR = 38.9, 95% CI 3.1–485.3) than for chronic TTH (OR = 18.3, 95% CI 3.6–93.0). In conclusion, there was a significant association between severe sleep disturbances and primary headache disorders, most pronounced for those with chronic headache. Even though one cannot address causality in the present study design, the results indicate an increased awareness of sleep problems among patients with headache.