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Villar-Martinez MD, Goadsby PJ. Non-invasive neuromodulation of the cervical vagus nerve in rare primary headaches. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2023; 4:1062892. [PMID: 36994091 PMCID: PMC10040883 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1062892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary headache disorders can be remarkably disabling and the therapeutic options available are usually limited to medication with a high rate of adverse events. Here, we discuss the mechanism of action of non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation, as well as the findings of the main studies involving patients with primary headaches other than migraine or cluster headache, such as hemicrania continua, paroxysmal hemicrania, cough headache, or short-lasting neuralgiform headache attacks (SUNCT/SUNA), in a narrative analysis. A bibliographical search of low-prevalence disorders such as rare primary headaches retrieves a moderate number of studies, usually underpowered. Headache intensity, severity, and duration showed a clinically significant reduction in the majority, especially those involving indomethacin-responsive headaches. The lack of response of some patients with a similar diagnosis could be due to a different stimulation pattern, technique, or total dose. The use of non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation for the treatment of primary headache disorders represents an excellent option for patients with these debilitating and otherwise refractory conditions, or that cannot tolerate several lines of preventive medication, and should always be considered before contemplating invasive, non-reversible stimulation techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dolores Villar-Martinez
- Headache Group, Wolfson CARD, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR King's Clinical Research Facility, SLaM Biomedical Research Centre, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J. Goadsby
- Headache Group, Wolfson CARD, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR King's Clinical Research Facility, SLaM Biomedical Research Centre, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Correspondence: Peter J. Goadsby
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Diener HC, Tassorelli C, Dodick DW. Management of Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias Including Chronic Cluster: A Review. JAMA Neurol 2023; 80:308-319. [PMID: 36648786 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.4804] [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: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Importance Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) comprise a unique collection of primary headache disorders characterized by moderate or severe unilateral pain, localized in in the area of distribution of the first branch of the trigeminal nerve, accompanied by cranial autonomic symptoms and signs. Most TACs are rare diseases, which hampers the possibility of performing randomized clinical trials and large studies. Therefore, knowledge of treatment efficacy must be based only on observational studies, rare disease registries, and case reports, where real-world data and evidence play an important role in health care decisions. Observations Chronic cluster headache is the most common of these disorders, and the literature offers some evidence from randomized clinical trials to support the use of pharmacologic and neurostimulation treatments. Galcanezumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the calcitonin gene-related peptide, was not effective at 3 months in a randomized clinical trial but showed efficacy at 12 months in a large case series. For the other TACs (ie, paroxysmal hemicrania, hemicrania continua, short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing, and short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms), only case reports and case series are available to guide physicians in everyday management. Conclusions and Relevance The accumulation of epidemiologic, pathophysiologic, natural history knowledge, and data from case series and small controlled trials, especially over the past 20 years from investigators around the world, has added to the previously limited evidence and has helped advance and inform the treatment approach to rare TACs, which can be extremely challenging for clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Christoph Diener
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology (IMIBE), Department of Neuroepidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Cristina Tassorelli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Headache Science & Neurorehabilitation Centre, IRCCS C., Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - David W Dodick
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona
- Atria Institute, New York, New York
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Arsava EM, Topcuoglu MA, Ay I, Ozdemir AO, Gungor IL, Togay Isikay C, Nazliel B, Kozak HH, Ozturk S, Yilmaz İA, Dora B, Ay H, Ozel T, Sorgun MH, Bahadır EA, Peker E, Aykac O, Mehdiyev Z, Caglayan HZB, Gurses AA, Pektezel MY, Yilmaz E, Oge DD, Parlak S, Bugrul A, Ozguner H, Seker AC, Ozdemir G, Ongun G, Yilmaz SE, Ozguncu C, Turan Isik SM, Ildiz OF, Mammadli A, Yildogan AT, McClure C. Assessment of safety and feasibility of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for treatment of acute stroke. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:1467-1474. [PMID: 36356829 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) using a hand-held stimulator placed on the neck is an FDA-approved treatment for primary headache disorders. The safety of nVNS is unknown in stroke patients. OBJECTIVE To assess the safety and feasibility of nVNS for the acute treatment of stroke. METHODS TR-VENUS (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03733431) was a randomized, sham-controlled, open-label, multicenter trial conducted in patients with acute ischemic stroke (IS) or intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Patients were randomly assigned to standard-dose nVNS, high-dose nVNS, or sham stimulation. The primary endpoint was a composite safety outcome defined as bradycardia or reduction in mean arterial blood pressure during treatment or progression of neurological or death within 24 h of treatment. The feasibility endpoints were the proportion of eligible subjects receiving nVNS within 6 h of symptom onset and the proportion completing all pre-specified treatment doses. Efficacy assessments included infarct growth from baseline to 24 h after treatment. RESULTS Sixty-nine patients (61 IS, 8 ICH) completed the study. The composite safety outcome was achieved in 32.0% in sham and 47.7% in nVNS group (p = 0.203). Treatment was initiated in all but two randomized patients. All dosed subjects received 100% of prespecified stimulations. A non-significant reduction in infarct growth was observed in the high-dose nVNS group (184.2% in sham vs. 63.3% in high-dose nVNS; p = 0.109). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that nVNS may be safe and feasible in the setting of acute stroke. These findings support further development of nVNS as a potential treatment for acute ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ilknur Ay
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Bijen Nazliel
- Department of Neurology, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | | | | | - Babur Dora
- Department of Neurology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Hakan Ay
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Najib U, Smith T, Hindiyeh N, Saper J, Nye B, Ashina S, McClure CK, Marmura MJ, Chase S, Liebler E, Lipton RB. Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for prevention of migraine: The multicenter, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled PREMIUM II trial. Cephalalgia 2022; 42:560-569. [PMID: 35001643 DOI: 10.1177/03331024211068813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
AIM Evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for migraine prevention. METHODS After completing a 4-week diary run-in period, adults who had migraine with or without aura were randomly assigned to receive active non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation or sham therapy during a 12-week double-blind period. RESULTS Of 336 enrolled participants, 113 (active, n = 56; sham, n = 57) completed ≥70 days of the double-blind period and were ≥66% adherent with treatment, comprising the prespecified modified intention-to-treat population. The COVID-19 pandemic led to early trial termination, and the population was ∼60% smaller than the statistical target for full power. Mean reduction in monthly migraine days (primary endpoint) was 3.12 for the active group and 2.29 days for the sham group (difference, -0.83; p = 0.2329). Responder rate (i.e. the percentage of participants with a ≥50% reduction in migraine days) was greater in the active group (44.87%) than the sham group (26.81%; p = 0.0481). Prespecified subgroup analysis suggested that participants with aura responded preferentially. No serious device-related adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest clinical utility of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for migraine prevention, particularly for patients who have migraine with aura, and reinforce the well-established safety and tolerability profile of this therapy.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03716505).
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Affiliation(s)
- Umer Najib
- WVU Headache Center, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | | | - Nada Hindiyeh
- Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Joel Saper
- Michigan Head Pain and Neurological Institute, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Barbara Nye
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Sait Ashina
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Michael J Marmura
- Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Neurology, Jefferson Headache Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Serena Chase
- Chase Advocate Consulting, LLC, Cocoa Beach, FL, USA
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Ghosh A, Silva E, Burish MJ. Pediatric-onset trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cephalalgia 2021; 41:1382-1395. [PMID: 34407646 DOI: 10.1177/03331024211027560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE There are five headache disorders composing the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania, short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT), short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA), and hemicrania continua). Little is known about these disorders in the pediatric population. The objectives of this study are to report the full age ranges of pediatric trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias and to determine if pediatric-onset trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias display similar signs and symptoms as adult onset. METHODS Search criteria in Medline Ovid, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library were created by a librarian. The remainder of the steps were independently performed by two neurologists using PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria for titles and abstracts were articles discussing cases of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias with age of onset 18 or younger, as well as any epidemiological report on trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (as age of onset data was often found in the results section but not in the title or abstract). Data extracted included age of onset, sex, and International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria for trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (including pain location, duration, frequency, autonomic features, restlessness) and some migraine criteria (photophobia, phonophobia, and nausea). Studies that did not meet full criteria for trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias were examined separately as "atypical trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias"; secondary headaches were excluded from this category. RESULTS In all, 1788 studies were searched, 86 met inclusion criteria, and most (56) examined cluster headache. In cluster headache, onset occurred at every pediatric age (range 1-18 years) with a full range of associated features. Autonomic and restlessness features were less common in pediatric patients, while migrainous features (nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia) were found at similar rates. The sex ratio of pediatric-onset cluster headache (1.8, 79 male and 43 female) may be lower than that of adult-onset cluster headache. Data for other trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, while more limited, displayed most of the full range of official criteria. The data for atypical trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias were also limited, but the most common deviations from the official criteria were abnormal frequencies and locations of attacks. CONCLUSIONS Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias can start early in life and have similar features to adult-onset trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. Specifically, pediatric-onset cluster headache patients display the full range of each criterion for cluster headache (except maximum frequency of six instead of eight attacks per day). However, cranial autonomic features and restlessness occur at a lower rate in pediatrics. Additional information is needed for the other trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. As for expanding the ICHD-3 criteria for pediatric-onset trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, we have only preliminary data from atypical cases, which suggests that the frequency and location of attacks sometimes extend beyond the official criteria.Trial Registration: This study was registered as a systematic review in PROSPERO (registration number CRD42020165256).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Ghosh
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Emma Silva
- Texas Medical Center Library, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mark J Burish
- Department of Neurosurgery, 12340University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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Lloyd J, Biloshytska M, Andreou AP, Lambru G. Noninvasive Neuromodulation in Headache: An Update. Neurol India 2021; 69:S183-S193. [PMID: 34003164 DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.315998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Background Migraine is a common disabling primary headache condition. Although strives have been made in treatment, there remains an unmet need for safe, effective acute, and preventative treatments. The promising concept of neuromodulation of relevant neuronal targets in a noninvasive fashion for the treatment of primary headache disorders has led to the trial of numerous devices over the years. Objective We aimed to review the evidence on current neuromodulation treatments available for the management of primary headache disorders. Methods Randomized controlled trial as well as open-label and real-world studies on central and peripheral cephalic and noncephalic neuromodulation modalities in primary headaches were critically reviewed. Results The current evidence suggests a role of single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation, supraorbital nerve stimulation, and remote noncephalic electrical stimulation as migraine abortive treatments, with stronger evidence in episodic rather than in chronic migraine. Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation and supraorbital nerve stimulation also hold promising evidence in episodic migraine prevention and initial positive evidence in chronic migraine prevention. More evidence should clarify the therapeutic role of the external vagus nerve stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation in migraine. However, external vagus nerve stimulation may be effective in the acute treatment of episodic but not chronic cluster headache, in the prevention of hemicrania continua and paroxysmal hemicrania but not of short-lasting neuralgiform headache attacks. The difficulty in setting up sham-controlled studies has thus far prevented the publication of robust trials. This limitation along with the cost of these therapies has meant that their use is limited in most countries. Conclusion Neuromodulation is a promising nonpharmacological treatment approach for primary headaches. More studies with appropriate blinding strategies and reduction of device cost may allow more widespread approval of these treatments and in turn increase clinician's experience in neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Lloyd
- Headache Research-Wolfson CARD, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Maryna Biloshytska
- Headache Research-Wolfson CARD, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anna P Andreou
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery and Neuromodulation, Romodanov Neurosurgery Institute, National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine; The Headache Service, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Giorgio Lambru
- The Headache Service, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Stubberud A, Tronvik E, Matharu M. Treatment of SUNCT/SUNA, Paroxysmal Hemicrania, and Hemicrania Continua: An Update Including Single-Arm Meta-analyses. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11940-020-00649-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
This review presents a critical appraisal of the treatment strategies for short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks (SUNHA), paroxysmal hemicrania (PH), and hemicrania continua (HC). We assess the available, though sparse, evidence on both medical and surgical treatments. In addition, we present estimated pooled analyses of the most common treatments and emphasize recent promising findings.
Recent Findings
The majority of literature available on the treatment of these rare trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias are small open-label observational studies and case reports. Pooled analyses reveal that lamotrigine for SUNHA and indomethacin for PH and HC are the preventative treatments of choice. Second-line choices include topiramate, gabapentin, and carbamazepine for SUNHA; verapamil for PH; and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and gabapentin for HC. Parenteral lidocaine is highly effective as a transitional treatment for SUNHA. Novel therapeutic strategies such as non-invasive neurostimulation, targeted nerve and ganglion blockades, and invasive neurostimulation, including implanted occipital nerve stimulators and deep brain stimulation, appears to be promising options.
Summary
At present, lamotrigine as a prophylactic and parenteral lidocaine as transitional treatment remain the therapies of choice for SUNHA. While, by definition, both PH and CH respond exquisitely to indomethacin, evidence for other prophylactics is less convincing. Evidence for the novel emerging therapies is limited, though promising.
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Lai Y, Huang Y, Huang L, Chen R, Chen C. Cervical Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Migraine and Cluster Headache: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis. Neuromodulation 2020; 23:721-731. [DOI: 10.1111/ner.13122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yin‐Hsuan Lai
- Department of Pediatrics Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan
| | - Yu‐Chen Huang
- Department of Dermatology Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan
- Research Center of Big Data and Meta‐Analysis Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan
| | - Liang‐Ti Huang
- Department of Pediatrics Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan
| | - Ruei‐Ming Chen
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan
- Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan
| | - Chiehfeng Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan
- Cochrane Taiwan Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan
- Evidence‐Based Medicine Center Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan
- Department of Public Health School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan
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