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Elevated levels of circulating trace amines in primary headaches.
G D'Andrea1, S Terrazzino, A Leon
1Headache and Comorbidity Center, Department of Clinical Pathology, Este-Monselice Hospital, PD, Italy. giovinavi@libero.it
Neurology
|May 26, 2004
Summary
Elevated trace amine levels are found in patients with cluster headaches (CH) and migraines. These findings suggest biogenic amine metabolism disorders may be linked to primary headaches, potentially indicating sympathetic dysfunction in CH.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Trace amines (tyramine, octopamine, synephrine) are linked to biogenic amines.
- Hypothesized to promote primary headaches, but direct evidence was lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate circulating trace amine levels in migraine and cluster headache (CH) patients.
- To compare these levels with healthy controls during various headache phases.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a multichannel electrochemical high-performance liquid chromatography system.
- Measured plasma and intraplatelet trace amine levels in migraineurs, CH patients, and controls.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher plasma trace amine levels in CH patients (remission and active phases) vs. controls/migraineurs.
- Elevated intraplatelet octopamine, synephrine, and tyramine in CH patients.
- Increased plasma octopamine and synephrine in migraine patients compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Elevated plasma trace amines in migraine and CH support biogenic amine metabolism disorder in primary headaches.
- More prominent alterations in CH suggest potential sympathetic or hypothalamic dysfunction.