Headache pathophysiology

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Editor-In-Chief: Robert G. Schwartz, M.D. [1], Piedmont Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, P.A.; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Overview

The brain in itself is not sensitive to pain, because it lacks pain-sensitive nerve fibers. Several areas of the head can hurt, including a network of nerves which extend over the scalp and certain nerves in the face, mouth, and throat. The meninges and the blood vessels do have pain perception. Headaches often result from traction to or irritation of the meninges and blood vessels. The muscles of the head may similarly be sensitive to pain.

Pathophysiology

Physiology

• The normal pathophysiology of can be understood as follows:
• vascular dilation,trigeminal nerve stimulation and histamine release.

Pathogenesis

• The exact pathophysiology of cluster headache is not completely understood.

• It is understood that cluster headache is caused by either vascular dilation,trigeminal nerve stimulation and histamine release.

Genetics

Genes involved in the pathogenesis of migraine include:

• MTDH
• LRP1
• TRPM8

The development of familial hemiplegic migraine is the result of multiple genetic mutations such as:

• CACNA1A
• ATP1A2
• SCN1A