Gender ratio of migraine without aura: observations over time

Abstract Migraine without aura is typically considered a female condition. The purpose of this study was to determine if there have been any changes in the female-to-male ratio of the disease over time. We included in the study all patients with migraine without aura (n=3457) referred to the Parma University Headache Centre between 1976 and 1995. They were divided into subgroups with respect to gender and year-range of onset of migraine (before 1960, in the 1960s, in the 1970s, in the 1980s, and between 1990 and 1995). Gender ratio ranged from 3.6:1 (in patients with onset before 1960) to 2.8:1 (in patients with onset in the 1980s), with no statistically significant changes during the observation period.     

Rare diseases mimicking acute vertebrobasilar artery thrombosis

Acute ischaemia of the vertebrobasilar circulation leads to a variety of clinical manifestation and is mostly due to cardiogenic or artery-to-artery embolism. We describe four neurological emergency situations involving vertebrobasilar artery aclusion of other origins: basilar migraine, extrinsic compression by rheumatoid inflammatory tissue, generalized vasculitis in subacute rheumatic fever and basilar artery dissection. The differential diagnosis of acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion may have an important impact on patient management.     

MELAS presenting as migraine complicated by stroke: case report

A case of MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes) which presented as migraine complicated by stroke is reported. Strokes associated with migraine have often been reported, but the mechanism remains unclear and may include a variety of pathologies. MELAS also presents with migrainous headache, vomiting, and stroke-like symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates characteristic findings. MELAS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infarct-like lesions with migrainous headaches in young adults, especially if the symptoms fluctuate and are accompanied by a homonymous hemianopia. Received: 23 September 1996 Accepted: 19 February 1997     

口服Sumatriptan治疗偏头痛的临床评价

本文报告口服Sumatriptan 100mg对偏头痛急性发作119例次的治疗结果。治疗后4h内显效91例次(76.5％),好转16例次(13.4％),无效12例次(10.1％),总有效率为89.9％。对偏头痛伴随症状恶心、呕吐和畏光、畏声的缓解率分别为94.2％、96％和94.3％。     

星状神经节阻滞复合药物治疗偏头痛240例

目的　探讨星状神经节阻滞 (stellate ganglion block,SGB)加服药物对偏头痛的治疗作用。方法　 2 4 0例偏头痛患者按就诊顺序分为观察组与对照组 ,观察组接受 SGB治疗的同时 ,口服尼莫地平等药物。结果　观察组有效率达89.2 % ,高于对照组 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,其中治疗后完全无痛的病例 5 1.7% ,高于对照组 (P<0 .0 1) ,观察发现病程对于 SGB治疗偏头痛疗效影响较大 (P<0 .0 5 )。结论　 SGB加服药物治疗偏头痛具有操作简单 ,起效快 ,疗效确切 ,副作用少等优点 ,值得临床推广应用。     

颈交感神经对血管源性头痛痛觉传导的影响

目的采用电刺激大鼠上矢状窦(SSS)区硬脑膜,观察颈上交感神经节(SCG)摘除术前后在延髓和上颈段三叉神经脊束核一氧化氮合酶(NOS)阳性神经元数目的变化,以探讨交感神经系统在血管源性头痛(如偏头痛)涉及的伤害觉信息传递中的作用。方法以雄性SD大鼠(体重为220～250g)为实验对象,行颈上交感神经节摘除术后再手术暴露其SSS,然后电刺激SSS区硬脑膜,应用免疫组织化学染色技术,观察延髓和上颈段三叉神经脊束核NOS表达的变化。结果NOS免疫反应阳性神经元主要分布在三叉神经脊束核和上颈段脊髓的第Ⅰ、Ⅱ板层,双侧对称。假手术对照组、SCG摘除组每张切片的NOS阳性神经元数分别为150.2±10.3、223.0±11.6,SCG摘除组NOS阳性神经元数目较假手术对照组明显增加(P<0.05)。结论颈交感神经系统参与了头部血管源性疼痛(如偏头痛)中伤害性感觉信息导致的疼痛的产生、传导及调节过程。     

The platelet and the neuron: Two cells in focus in migraine

Reports of platelet abnormalities in migraine are abundant, and the present paper discusses the role of platelets in the migraine aetiology. Platelets are considered good models for pre- and post-synaptic functions in serotonergic neurons. We propose that migraine is associated with a lowered threshold for stimulus response in both platelets and serotonergic neurons and that the alterations in platelet function reflect central serotonergic disturbances. The platelet abnormalities in migraine approach those found in depression, and there are several links between the two disorders. The clinical significance of platelet hyperactivity in migraineurs for the occurrence of thrombotic disorders is also discussed. Studies of platelet functions in migraine, using platelets as models for serotonergic neurons, may broaden our understanding of the neuronal processes that take place during a migraine attack. The platelet can also be an investigative tool for better understanding of the modes of action of anti-migraine drugs.     

Expanding the Spectrum of Acquired Cerebral Hemiatrophy

The authors report a 50-year-old man with progressive left hemispheric atrophy, cognitive decline, infrequent seizures, and spells suggestive of complicated migraine. They discuss the association between migraine and cerebral hemiatrophy and suggest that the spectrum of acquired cerebral hemiatrophy may be broader than what has been commonly recognized.     

Sumatriptan nasal spray in the acute treatment of migraine in adolescents and children

About 4-10% of children and adolescents suffer from migraine. In the last few years, several studies have been performed to assess the efficacy and safety of triptans for the acute treatment of migraine in children and adolescents. Only sumatriptan nasal spray has been approved for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adolescents aged 12-17 years in Europe. This review describes the results of the studies with sumatriptan nasal spray that have been performed in children and adolescents, including a study performed in the Netherlands.