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Al-Khazali HM, Christensen RH, Dodick DW, Chaudhry BA, Melchior AG, Burstein R, Ashina H. Hypersensitivity to BK Ca channel opening in persistent post-traumatic headache. J Headache Pain 2024; 25:102. [PMID: 38890563 PMCID: PMC11186171 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-024-01808-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large conductance calcium-activated potassium (BKCa) channels have been implicated in the neurobiological underpinnings of migraine. Considering the clinical similarities between migraine and persistent post-traumatic headache (PPTH), we aimed to examine whether MaxiPost (a BKCa channel opener) could induce migraine-like headache in persons with PPTH. METHODS This is a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover study from September 2023 to December 2023. Eligible participants were adults with PPTH after mild traumatic brain injury who reported having no personal history of migraine. The randomized participants received a single dose of either MaxiPost (0.05 mg/min) or placebo (isotonic saline) that was infused intravenously over 20 minutes. The two experiment sessions were scheduled at least one week apart to avoid potential carryover effects. The primary endpoint was the induction of migraine-like headache after MaxiPost as compared to placebo within 12 hours of drug administration. The secondary endpoint was the area under the curve (AUC) values for headache intensity scores between MaxiPost and placebo over the same 12-hour observation period. RESULTS Twenty-one adult participants (comprising 14 females and 7 males) with PPTH were enrolled and completed both experiment sessions. The proportion of participants who developed migraine-like headache was 11 (52%) of 21 participants after MaxiPost infusion, in contrast to four (19%) participants following placebo (P = .02). Furthermore, the median headache intensity scores, represented by AUC values, were higher following MaxiPost than after placebo (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that BKCa channel opening can elicit migraine-like headache in persons with PPTH. Thus, pharmacologic blockade of BKCa channels might present a novel avenue for drug discovery. Additional investigations are nonetheless needed to confirm these insights and explore the therapeutic prospects of BKCa channel blockers in managing PPTH. CLINICALTRIALS GOV IDENTIFIER NCT05378074.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidar M Al-Khazali
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, BIDMC Comprehensive Headache Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Translational Research Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rune H Christensen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Translational Research Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David W Dodick
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Basit Ali Chaudhry
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna G Melchior
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rami Burstein
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Center for Life Science, 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Håkan Ashina
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Translational Research Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Al-Khazali HM, Deligianni CI, Pellesi L, Al-Karagholi MAM, Ashina H, Chaudhry BA, Petersen AS, Jensen RH, Amin FM, Ashina M. Induction of cluster headache after opening of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels: a randomized clinical trial. Pain 2024; 165:1289-1303. [PMID: 38127692 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Activation of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (K ATP ) channels has been implicated in triggering migraine attacks. However, whether the opening of these channels provoke cluster headache attacks remains undetermined. The hallmark of cluster headache is a distinct cyclical pattern of recurrent, severe headache episodes, succeeded by intervals of remission where no symptoms are present. In our study, we enrolled 41 participants: 10 with episodic cluster headaches during a bout, 15 in the attack-free remission period, and 17 diagnosed with chronic cluster headaches. Over 2 distinct experimental days, participants underwent a continuous 20-minute infusion of levcromakalim, a K ATP channel opener, or a placebo (isotonic saline), followed by a 90-minute observational period. The primary outcome was comparing the incidence of cluster headache attacks within the postinfusion observation period between the levcromakalim and placebo groups. Six of 10 participants (60%) with episodic cluster headaches in bout experienced attacks after levcromakalim infusion, vs just 1 of 10 (10%) with placebo ( P = 0.037). Among those in the remission phase, 1 of 15 participants (7%) reported attacks after levcromakalim, whereas none did postplacebo ( P = 0.50). In addition, 5 of 17 participants (29%) with chronic cluster headache had attacks after levcromakalim, in contrast to none after placebo ( P = 0.037). These findings demonstrate that K ATP channel activation can induce cluster headache attacks in participants with episodic cluster headaches in bout and chronic cluster headache, but not in those in the remission period. Our results underscore the potential utility of K ATP channel inhibitors as therapeutic agents for cluster headaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidar M Al-Khazali
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Christina I Deligianni
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Athens Naval Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Lanfranco Pellesi
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mohammad Al-Mahdi Al-Karagholi
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Håkan Ashina
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Basit Ali Chaudhry
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anja Sofie Petersen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rigmor H Jensen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Faisal Mohammad Amin
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Messoud Ashina
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Ihara K, Schwedt TJ. Posttraumatic headache is a distinct headache type from migraine. Curr Opin Neurol 2024; 37:264-270. [PMID: 38294020 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000001247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Posttraumatic headache (PTH), a headache that develops within 7 days of a causative injury, is one of the most common secondary headaches, mostly attributed to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Because presence of preinjury headache is a risk factor for developing PTH and PTH symptoms often resemble migraine or tension-type headache, the association between PTH and primary headaches has attracted attention from clinicians and scientists. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies on epidemiological aspects, headache features, risk factors, imaging characteristics, and response to treatment, suggest overlapping features and distinct objective findings in PTH compared to migraine. SUMMARY We argue that PTH is distinct from migraine. Therefore, PTH epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis should continue to be investigated separately from migraine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Ihara
- Japanese Red Cross Ashikaga Hospital, Ashikaga
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Todd J Schwedt
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
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Al-Khazali HM, Christensen RH, Chaudhry BA, Melchior AG, Ashina M, Burstein R, Ashina H. Effects of PDE-3 inhibition in persistent post-traumatic headache: evidence of cAMP-dependent signaling. J Headache Pain 2024; 25:56. [PMID: 38627631 PMCID: PMC11022386 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-024-01762-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE-3) inhibition have been implicated in the neurobiologic underpinnings of migraine. Considering the clinical similarities between migraine and persistent post-traumatic headache (PPTH), we aimed to ascertain whether PDE-3 inhibition can elicit migraine-like headache in persons with PPTH. METHODS We tested cilostazol, which inhibits PDE-3, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover study involving persons with PPTH attributed to mild traumatic brain injury. The randomized participants were allocated to receive oral administration of either 200-mg cilostazol or placebo (calcium tablet) on two separate experiment days. The primary end point was the incidence of migraine-like headache during a 12-hour observation window post-ingestion. The secondary endpoint was the area under the curve (AUC) for reported headache intensity scores during the same observation window. RESULTS Twenty-one persons underwent randomization and completed both experiment days. The mean participants' age was 41.4 years, and most (n = 17) were females. During the 12-hour observation window, 14 (67%) of 21 participants developed migraine-like headache post-cilostazol, in contrast to three (14%) participants after placebo (P =.003). The headache intensity scores were higher post-cilostazol than after placebo (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS Our results provide novel evidence showing that PDE-3 inhibition can elicit migraine-like headache in persons with PPTH. Given that PDE-3 inhibition increases intracellular cAMP levels, our findings allude to the potential therapeutic value of targeting cAMP-dependent signaling pathways in the management of PPTH. Further investigations are imperative to substantiate these insights and delineate the importance of cAMP-dependent signaling pathways in the neurobiologic mechanisms underlying PPTH. CLINICALTRIALS GOV IDENTIFIER NCT05595993.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidar M Al-Khazali
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital- Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rune H Christensen
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital- Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Basit Ali Chaudhry
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital- Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna G Melchior
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital- Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Messoud Ashina
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital- Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rami Burstein
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Håkan Ashina
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital- Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
- Valdemar Hansens, Vej 5, Entrance 1A, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark.
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Howe EI, Andelic N, Brunborg C, Zeldovich M, Helseth E, Skandsen T, Olsen A, Fure SCR, Theadom A, Rauen K, Madsen BÅ, Jacobs B, van der Naalt J, Tartaglia MC, Einarsen CE, Storvig G, Tronvik E, Tverdal C, von Steinbüchel N, Røe C, Hellstrøm T. Frequency and predictors of headache in the first 12 months after traumatic brain injury: results from CENTER-TBI. J Headache Pain 2024; 25:44. [PMID: 38528477 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-024-01751-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Headache is a prevalent and debilitating symptom following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Large-scale, prospective cohort studies are needed to establish long-term headache prevalence and associated factors after TBI. This study aimed to assess the frequency and severity of headache after TBI and determine whether sociodemographic factors, injury severity characteristics, and pre- and post-injury comorbidities predicted changes in headache frequency and severity during the first 12 months after injury. METHODS A large patient sample from the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) prospective observational cohort study was used. Patients were stratified based on their clinical care pathway: admitted to an emergency room (ER), a ward (ADM) or an intensive care unit (ICU) in the acute phase. Headache was assessed using a single item from the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire measured at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months after injury. Mixed-effect logistic regression analyses were applied to investigate changes in headache frequency and associated predictors. RESULTS A total of 2,291 patients responded to the headache item at baseline. At study enrolment, 59.3% of patients reported acute headache, with similar frequencies across all strata. Female patients and those aged up to 40 years reported a higher frequency of headache at baseline compared to males and older adults. The frequency of severe headache was highest in patients admitted to the ICU. The frequency of headache in the ER stratum decreased substantially from baseline to 3 months and remained from 3 to 6 months. Similar trajectory trends were observed in the ICU and ADM strata across 12 months. Younger age, more severe TBI, fatigue, neck pain and vision problems were among the predictors of more severe headache over time. More than 25% of patients experienced headache at 12 months after injury. CONCLUSIONS Headache is a common symptom after TBI, especially in female and younger patients. It typically decreases in the first 3 months before stabilising. However, more than a quarter of patients still experienced headache at 12 months after injury. Translational research is needed to advance the clinical decision-making process and improve targeted medical treatment for headache. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02210221.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Isager Howe
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
- Center for Habilitation and Rehabilitation Models and Services (CHARM), Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Nada Andelic
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Center for Habilitation and Rehabilitation Models and Services (CHARM), Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Cathrine Brunborg
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marina Zeldovich
- Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eirik Helseth
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Department of Research and Development, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Toril Skandsen
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Clinic of Rehabilitation, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- NorHEAD - Norwegian Centre for Headache Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Alexander Olsen
- Clinic of Rehabilitation, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- NorHEAD - Norwegian Centre for Headache Research, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Silje C R Fure
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alice Theadom
- TBI Network, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Katrin Rauen
- Neurological Rehabilitation Center Godeshöhe, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Traumatology & Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Benedikte Å Madsen
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bram Jacobs
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joukje van der Naalt
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Carmela Tartaglia
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Canadian Concussion Centre, Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Memory Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cathrine Elisabeth Einarsen
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Clinic of Rehabilitation, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Gøril Storvig
- Clinic of Rehabilitation, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- NorHEAD - Norwegian Centre for Headache Research, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Erling Tronvik
- NorHEAD - Norwegian Centre for Headache Research, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Neurology, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Cathrine Tverdal
- Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Department of Research and Development, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Cecilie Røe
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Center for Habilitation and Rehabilitation Models and Services (CHARM), Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Torgeir Hellstrøm
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Al-Khazali HM, Christensen RH, Dodick DW, Chaudhry BA, Burstein R, Ashina H. Hypersensitivity to opening of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in post-traumatic headache. Cephalalgia 2023; 43:3331024231210930. [PMID: 37917826 DOI: 10.1177/03331024231210930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether levcromakalim (a KATP channel opener) induces migraine-like headache in people with persistent post-traumatic headache who had no known history of migraine. METHODS In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-way crossover trial, participants were randomly assigned to receive a 20-minute continuous intravenous infusion of levcromakalim (50 µg/mL) or placebo (isotonic saline) on two separate experimental days with a 1-week wash-out period in between. The primary endpoint was the difference in incidence of migraine-like headache between levcromakalim and placebo during a 12-hour observational period after infusion start. The secondary endpoint was the difference in area under the curve for baseline-corrected median headache intensity scores between levcromakalim and placebo during the 12-hour observational period. RESULTS A total of 21 participants with persistent post-traumatic headache were randomized and completed the trial. During the 12-hour observational period, 12 (57%) of 21 participants reported experiencing migraine-like headache following the levcromakalim infusion, compared with three after placebo (P = 0.013). Moreover, the baseline-corrected median headache intensity scores were higher following the levcromakalim infusion than after placebo (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that KATP channels play an important role in the pathogenesis of migraine-like headache in people with persistent post-traumatic headache. This implies that KATP channel blockers might represent a promising avenue for drug development. Further research is warranted to explore the potential therapeutic benefits of KATP channel blockers in managing post-traumatic headache.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05243953.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidar M Al-Khazali
- Harvard Medical School, MA, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rune H Christensen
- Harvard Medical School, MA, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David W Dodick
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Basit Ali Chaudhry
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rami Burstein
- Harvard Medical School, MA, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Håkan Ashina
- Harvard Medical School, MA, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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