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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
10:39
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Endocrine function is altered in chronic migraine patients with medication-overuse
Innocenzo Rainero1, Margherita Ferrero, Elisa Rubino
1Department of Neuroscience, Neurology III--Headache Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126 Torino, Italy.
Headache
|April 29, 2006
Summary
Medication overuse in chronic migraine patients impairs endocrine function, specifically affecting growth hormone and cortisol responses. This suggests hormones play a role in chronic migraine development.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic migraine is often linked to overuse of acute symptomatic medications.
- Common migraine drugs can cause endocrine disturbances.
- The specific endocrine effects of medication overuse in chronic migraine are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of analgesic overuse on endocrine function in patients with chronic migraine and medication-overuse headache (CM-MOH).
Main Methods:
- 18 patients with CM-MOH and 18 healthy controls underwent intravenous administration of GHRH, hCRH, and TRH.
- Plasma levels of GH, TSH, ACTH, and cortisol were measured over 90 minutes post-administration.
Main Results:
- GH response to GHRH was significantly lower in CM-MOH patients compared to controls.
- ACTH and cortisol levels were significantly higher in CM-MOH patients after hCRH administration.
- A correlation was found between disease duration and altered hormonal responses.
Conclusions:
- Corticotropic and somatotropic functions are significantly impaired in CM-MOH patients.
- Hormonal imbalances may contribute to the development of chronic migraine.
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