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Pathophysiology of chronic daily headache

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Abstract

Despite no clear explanation of the mechanism underlying chronic daily headache, sensitization of central nociceptive neurons is one possibility. Either prolonged activation of peripheral nociceptors or any factors that can alter the endogenous pain control system can trigger this process. A decrease in platelet serotonin has been observed in patients with chronic tension-type headache as well as migraine patients with medication-induced headache. It was also shown that chronic analgesic exposure led to changes in the serotonin content and the density of the 5-HT2A receptor in the cerebral cortex. The plasticity of the serotonin-dependent pain control system may facilitate the process of sensitization and results in the development of chronic daily headache.

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  1. Neuroscience Unit, Department of Physiology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Rama IV Road, 10330, Patumwan, Bangkok, Thailand

    Anan Srikiatkhachorn MD

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  1. Anan Srikiatkhachorn MD
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Srikiatkhachorn, A. Pathophysiology of chronic daily headache. Current Science Inc 5, 537–544 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-001-0071-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-001-0071-5

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