Author: Ashina M.

Source: Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, Volume 3, Number 4, 1 April 2002 , pp. 395-399(5)

Publisher: Informa Healthcare

Abstract:

Chronic tension-type headache may be caused by prolonged painful input from pericranial myofacial tissues, for example tender points, resulting in central sensitisation (increased excitability of neurons in the central nervous system). Animal studies have shown that sensitisation of pain pathways may be caused by or associated with the activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and the generation of nitric oxide. Furthermore, it has been shown that nitric oxide synthase inhibitors reduce central sensitisation in animal models of persistent pain. On the basis of this information, the analgesic effect of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-N^G methyl arginine hydrochloride was investigated. This drug significantly reduced headache and myofacial factors in patients with chronic tension-type headache. These studies show that nitric oxide plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of tension-type headache. The analgesic effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibition in patients with chronic tension-type headache is probably due to a reduction in central sensitisation at the level of the spinal dorsal horn, trigeminal nucleus or both. Furthermore, inhibition of nitric oxide synthase may become a novel principle in the future treatment of chronic headache.

Keywords: central sensitisation; chronic tension-type headache; L; -N; G; methyl arginine; hydrochloride; nitric oxide; nitric oxide synthase; treatment

Document Type: Miscellaneous

Affiliations: 1: Department of Neurology and Danish Headache Center, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, DK-2600 Glostrup, Copenhagen, Denmark, ext. 3054;, Tel: +45 4323 2300, Fax: +45 4323 3926, Email: ashina@dadlnet.dk

Publication date: 2002-04-01

More about this publication?

• Editorial Board
• Information for Authors
• Subscribe to this Title
• Terms & Conditions
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Pharmacology
• By this author: Ashina M.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers