Related Experiment Videos
Headache in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
1Franklin Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Greenfield, MA, USA. dj@crocker.com
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|December 14, 1999
Summary
Chronic headaches are a key neurologic symptom in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), often occurring without identifiable central nervous system lesions. Further research is needed to understand the link between EDS and headaches, particularly migraines.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Genetics
- Connective Tissue Disorders
Background:
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders.
- Neurologic manifestations, including chronic pain and cerebrovascular issues, are recognized in EDS.
- Headaches are a common but often unexplained complaint in EDS patients.
Observation:
- This study reports clinical data on 18 patients with EDS experiencing chronic headaches.
- Headaches were classified using the International Headache Society criteria.
- Patients underwent neurological examinations and neuroimaging (CT, MRI) and EEG.
Findings:
- The study identified various headache types, including migraine with and without aura, tension headaches, and post-traumatic headaches.
- While some patients had CNS abnormalities (angioma, Chiari malformation, stroke), headaches did not correlate with these lesions.
- Normal EEGs and absence of seizure history ruled out eye closure epilepsy in patients with blepharoclonus.
Implications:
- Chronic headaches may be a primary neurologic presentation of EDS, even without detectable CNS abnormalities.
- Individuals with EDS might have a predisposition to migraines due to underlying cerebrovascular or cortical excitability issues.
- Further investigation is required to clarify the exact mechanisms causing headaches in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.