The Effect of Infused Prostacyclin in Migraine and Cluster Headache

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
SYNOPSISProstacyclin appears to be the most active of the vasodilating prostaglandins with inflammatory and hyperalgesic properties. Its actions are very similar to those of prostaglandin E1, which has long been known to cause “vascular‐type” headaches. We have assessed the role of prostacyclin by infusing it into eight patients with migraine and eight with cluster headache. Most of the subjects developed a dull throbbing headache during the infusion. In most cases the nature of the induced headaches was different from those usually experienced, and not significantly different from those induced in three normal subjects.Prostacyclin, therefore, does not appear to act as sole mediator of vascular headaches, though may still do so synergistically with one of a variety of amines and peptides.