Cluster Headache
Conditions
Keywords
Primary Headache, Trigeminal autonomic cephalgia, functional connectivity
Brief summary
Cluster headache attacks do not occur randomly throughout the day, but have a clear circadian rhythmicity. The aim of this study is to investigate circadian changes of the brain, the autonomic nervous system and pain processing systems.
Detailed description
Cluster headache attacks do not occur randomly throughout the day, but have a clear circadian rhythmicity. The aim of this study is to investigate circadian changes in the functional connectivity, spectroscopy, iron deposition and perfusion of the brain. In addition, we plan to investigate circadian changes in the pain threshold of the brain using quantitative sensory testing (QST). Finally, we will investigate changes in the autonomic nervous system measuring the pupillary response.
Interventions
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTMRI examination
Patient will be scanned in the MRI twice, once at noon (+/- 1 hour), once at 1 a.m. (+/- 1 hour). The investigators will search for any changes in functional connectivity, particular regarding the connection between the hypothalamus and pain-processing networks.
Sponsors
University of Zurich
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of cluster headache (CH) may enter the patient group, patients not suffering from CH may enter the control group. * knowledge of the german language suffices to understand the information sheet and consent form * having read, understood and signed the consent form
Exclusion criteria
* Pregnancy * contraindications for the MRI scan (particularly metal splinters, ferromagnetic devices and implants) * claustrophobia * obesity (MRI \> 35 kg/m2) * shift working (last night shift must date back more than one week) * jet lag (last travel over more than two time zones must date back more than one week)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Circadian rhythmicity of the functional connectivity of the brain | Measurements will be made at noon and at 1 a.m. (+/- 2 hours); we will compare these measurements to identify changes. | Changes from baseline in functional connectivity of the brain using whole-brain fMRI |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Circadian rhythmicity of the pain threshold | Measurements will be made at noon and at 1 a.m. (+/- 2 hours); we will compare these measurements to identify changes. | Changes from baseline of the pain threshold in the face using quantitative sensory testing (QST) |
| Circadian changes in the perfusion of the brain. | Measurements will be made at noon and at 1 a.m. (+/- 2 hours); we will compare these measurements to identify changes. | Changes from baseline in perfusion of the brain using Arterial Spin Labeled MRI Perfusion Imaging and vascular space occupancy sequences |
| Circadian rhythmicity of the autonomic system | Measurements will be made at noon and at 1 a.m. (+/- 2 hours); we will compare these measurements to identify changes. | Changes from baseline in the pupillary response (measured using pupillometry) |
| Circadian rhythmicity of the spectroscopy of the hypothalamus | Measurements will be made at noon and at 1 a.m. (+/- 2 hours); we will compare these measurements to identify changes. | Changes from baseline in the spectroscopy of the hypothalamus |
Countries
Switzerland
Contacts
Primary ContactHeiko Pohl, MD
Outcome results
None listed