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Analytic cognitive style in cluster headache

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Abstract

Previous reports on cluster headache have shown a hypothalamic dysfunction and a hitherto unrecognized defect in the information processing pathways measured by event-related potentials. As of today, the causes are still unknown; likewise, studies on the psychological factors involved in CH have not yielded relevant data. The aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of a possible correlation between CH and a specific manner of information processing, i.e., an analytic cognitive style. This study applies two cognitive style tests that have not previously been used in the context of cluster headache: “Sternberg–Wagner Self Assessment Inventory” and the C. Cornoldi AMOS test series. Twenty-three CH patients were involved in the study and were compared with two control groups: healthy subjects and tension type headache patients. Our findings clearly indicate a significant correlation between analytic cognitive style and CH, warranting further studies focusing on the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms.

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Abbreviations

CH:

Cluster headache

TTH:

Tension type headache

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

PET:

Positron emission tomography

QSC:

Cognitive style questionnaire

HIP:

Human information processing

CTR:

Healthy subject

CCH:

Chronic cluster headache

ECH:

Episodic cluster headache

TSI:

Thinking style inventory

CTTH:

Chronic tension type headache

ETTH:

Episodic tension type headache

ERP:

Event-related potentials

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Claudia Sigismondi and Raffaella Policastro for their support in preparing the paper. The authors are also grateful to Kim Walther for her assistance.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Internal Medicine VI, Headache Center, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 00161, Rome, Italy

    Marzia Buonfiglio & Francesco Di Sabato

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  1. Marzia Buonfiglio
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  2. Francesco Di Sabato
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Correspondence to Francesco Di Sabato.

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Buonfiglio, M., Di Sabato, F. Analytic cognitive style in cluster headache. Neurol Sci 32, 875–881 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-011-0730-1

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