Sympathetic adrenomedullary activity in cluster headache

It is well known that autonomic phenomena, such as lacrimation, rhinorrhea, and Horner's syndrome, are associated with the pain attacks in episodic cluster headache. In order to elucidate the cause of these symptoms we studied plasma free and sulphoconjugated catecholamines in cluster headache patients during the pain attacks and in the following hours, as well as during the remission period. No change in these amine levels was found. We conclude that dysautonomic symptoms are not reflected in plasma catecholamine modification.