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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache

Published on: June 2, 2014

Relationship between high prolactin levels and migraine attacks in patients with microprolactinoma

D Bosco1, A Belfiore, A Fava

  • 1Operative Unit of Neurology, S Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Via Largo Bologna, 88900 Crotone, Italy. nico_bosco@libero.it

The Journal of Headache and Pain
|February 8, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Hyperprolactinemia may contribute to migraine in patients with pituitary micro-adenomas. Elevated prolactin levels during headaches suggest a link, with dopamine-agonist therapy showing improvement in some patients.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Neurology
  • Headache Medicine

Background:

  • The exact cause of pituitary-associated headaches remains unclear.
  • Proposed mechanisms involve structural and functional aspects of pituitary tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between hyperprolactinemia and headaches in patients with pituitary micro-adenomas.
  • To assess the efficacy of dopamine-agonist therapy in this patient group.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 29 patients with microprolactinoma and headache, divided into migraine and tension-type headache groups.
  • Measured prolactin (PRL) levels during headache attacks and after thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation.
  • Assessed headache improvement after dopamine-agonist (DA) treatment.

Main Results:

  • Significantly higher PRL levels were observed during headaches in 56% of migraine patients versus 8% of tension-type headache patients.
  • TRH stimulation induced severe headaches in 4 out of 9 migraine patients.
  • Headache improved in 44% of migraine patients and 15% of tension-type headache patients after DA treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Hyperprolactinemia may play a role in the development of pain in specific migraine subgroups.
  • The TRH test could potentially identify patients who may benefit from dopamine-agonist therapy for pituitary-associated headaches.

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