[Correlation of chronic idiopathic headache and decreased monoamine/oxidase activity of thrombocytes]

A total of 19 males with chronic idiopathic headache referred to in the literature as tension headache were examined. A secondary nature of headache was completely ruled out by additional studies. The activity of platelet monoamine oxidase was depressed to 14.33 +/- 1.17 n mol/mg of protein/h as compared with 28.1 +/- 2.38 n mol/mg of protein/h in the control group. The role of diminished activity of the enzyme in the genesis of headaches is considered.