[Evoked potentials in patients with secondary headaches]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Clinical Neurophysiology

Background:

• Secondary headaches, including chronic post-traumatic, cervicogenic, and vascular headaches, are common and often associated with underlying conditions.
• Arterial hypertension and chronic brain ischemia are frequently observed comorbidities in patients with secondary headaches.
• Understanding the neurophysiological characteristics of these headaches is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the characteristics of brain evoked activity in patients suffering from common variants of secondary headaches.
• To identify specific neurophysiological deficits associated with chronic post-traumatic headaches, cervicogenic headaches, and vascular headaches in patients with hypertension and ischemia.

Main Methods:

• Multimodal registration of evoked potentials (EPs) was employed.
• Included short-latency brainstem auditory evoked potentials, visual evoked potentials (VEPs) to flash stimulation, and cognitive evoked potentials (P300).

Main Results:

• Patients with secondary headaches frequently exhibited signs of brainstem dysfunction.
• A decrease in visual analyzer function was observed.
• Diminished cognitive functions, as indicated by P300, were prevalent in most patients.
• Evoked potential analysis revealed specific patterns of neurological impairment.

Conclusions:

• The study identified significant neurophysiological abnormalities in patients with chronic secondary headaches.
• Findings support the recommendation of a complex therapeutic approach for chronic secondary headaches.
• Neuroprotectors and nootropics are suggested as key components of this complex therapy to address identified brain dysfunctions.