Endocrine function is altered in chronic migraine patients with medication-overuse
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Innocenzo Rainero1, Margherita Ferrero, Elisa Rubino
1Department of Neuroscience, Neurology III--Headache Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126 Torino, Italy.
Objective:
To evaluate the effects of analgesic overuse on endocrine function in patients with chronic migraine and medication-overuse headache (CM-MOH).
Background:
Chronic migraine is frequently associated with an overuse of symptomatic medications. Drugs currently used in acute migraine attacks are associated with several endocrine effects. At present, the endocrine effects of medication overuse in chronic migraine patients are unknown.
Methods:
Eighteen patients with CM-MOH, diagnosed according to the ICHD-II criteria, and 18 healthy controls received an intravenous administration of GHRH, hCRH, and TRH. Plasma concentrations of GH, TSH, ACTH, and cortisol were measured for a 90-minute period after administration of the specific releasing hormones.
Results:
Hormonal basal concentrations were similar in both groups. GH response to GHRH was significantly reduced in patients with CM-MOH in comparison with controls. TRH induced a reduction of TSH concentrations only at the end of the test. After hCRH administration, ACTH and cortisol concentrations were significantly higher in cases than in controls. A significant correlation between duration of the disease and altered hormonal response was found.
Conclusions:
Our study shows that both corticotropic and somatotropic functions are significantly impaired in CM-MOH patients and suggests a role for hormones in the development of chronic migraine.
Related Concept Videos
Major Hormones and Their Functions
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction
Adrenal Gland Disorders
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...

