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Periodic Autonomic Dysfunction Without Pain In A Patient With Cluster Headache, Avi Ashkenazi, Stephen Silberstein

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Cluster headache (CH) is characterized by episodes of severe unilateral headache accompanied by symptoms of cranial parasympathetic hyperactivity and sympathetic dysfunction that occur in cluster periods. Positron emission tomography (PET) studies have demonstrated evidence of a central generator of CH attacks located in the posterior-inferior hypothalamus. It has been suggested that the autonomic symptoms in CH result from reflex activation of the superior salivatory nucleus secondary to activation of the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC). However, several cases of CH-like symptoms with no head pain have been documented.

We describe a patient who had suffered from typical episodic CH for two …

Dynamic Mechanical (Brush) Allodynia In Cluster Headache, Avi Ashkenazi, William B. Young

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Cutaneous allodynia is the perception of pain when a non-noxious stimulus is applied to normal skin. It has been described in patients with migraine. Cutaneous allodynia is caused by sensitization of central nervous system neurons that receive convergent sensory input from both skin and intracranial structures. This phenomenon has not been previously described in patients with cluster headache. Although migraine and cluster headache (CH) may share some clinical features, the pathogenesis of these two primary headaches is different. The aim of this study was to examine the occurrence of dynamic mechanical (brush) allodynia (BA) in patients with CH.

Occipital Nerve Block Rapidly Eliminates Allodynia Far From The Site Of Headache: A Case Report, William B. Young, Valentin Mateos, Avi Ashkenazi

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Seventy to 80% of persons with migraine develop allodynia during the course of a severe attack. During a migraine attack, allodynia spreads topographically to extratrigeminal territory. Dynamic mechanical allodynia, otherwise known as brush allodynia (BA), is a subtype of allodynia that is easily tested. Ashkenazi & Young recently reported on the immediate benefits of greater occipital nerve (GON) block on brush allodynia and pain in migraine and in cluster headache. In these studies, testing was performed at fixed sites in the trigeminal and cervical distributions. Allodynia in thoracic dermatomes was not studied.

Headache Management For The Pain Specialist, Avi Ashkenazi, Stephen Silberstein

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Headache is a common symptom caused by a wide variety of diseases. Primary headaches include migraine, cluster headache, tension-type headache and other less common diseases. It is important to differentiate these headaches from secondary headaches caused by vascular, neoplastic, infectious, metabolic and toxic disorders. Most primary headaches have a genetic basis, with environmental factors acting as triggers. Recent advances in basic research resulted in the development of more specific and effective therapies. Medication overuse headache is a very common cause of chronic daily headache. Detoxification from the offending drug is essential for headache improvement. Cervicogenic headache is common and needs …

Botulinum Toxin And Other New Approaches To Migraine Therapy, Avi Ashkenazi, Stephen Silberstein

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

The number of migraine treatments and our understanding of migraine pathophysiology are both increasing. Newer treatments are focusing on migraine prevention. Botulinum toxin (BTX) is a potent neurotoxin that has been used primarily for diseases associated with increased muscle activity. Recently the toxin was found to have antinociceptive effects that are probably independent of its muscle-relaxant action. Recent clinical trials support the efficacy of BTX type-A (and possibly also type-B) in the treatment of migraine. The anticonvulsant topiramate was recently shown to be effective for migraine prevention. With the low doses used for this indication, cognitive side effects are less …