Cluster headache is a rare and debilitating headache disorder, described as one of the most painful conditions known to man. The causes and underlying mechanisms of the disorder are not understood, limiting the development of effective treatments.
In this project, Dr Anna Andreou studied the role of inflammatory and immune reactions in an area of the brain called the hypothalamus, to delineate their role in cluster headache, and to explore possible routes to treatment.
Cluster headache is a rare headache disorder, characterised by recurring bouts (clusters) of excruciating pain on one side of the head. It has been described as one of the most painful conditions known to man, with the intensity of the pain often reported to give rise to suicidal thoughts.
Cluster headache is a condition that impacts very heavily on the lives of patients and their families. The all-consuming pain and unpredictability of attacks can make it hard to carry on a normal life. Whilst there are a number of different treatments that aim either to stop the pain during an attack or to stop the onset of attacks during a cluster, these are not effective in all patients.
Read more: About cluster headache
Aspects of cluster headache suggest that an area of the brain called the hypothalamus is involved in active headache clusters and attacks. This project built on previous evidence that there is an immunological cause for this hypothalamic activation. Specifically, Dr Andreou and her team investigated the role of a complex of proteins known as NF-kB, which are involved in several inflammatory processes.
What Dr Andreou and her team showed was that NF-kB is indeed a key mediator of the inflammatory responses their model of headache, and that it is also very likely to play a role in cluster headache. The team also demonstrated that targeting the NF-kB pathway can be a future therapeutic avenue for the treatment of cluster headache.
In addition, the team found evidence that Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) treatments may not be effective for cluster headaches, despite being effective for migraine.
Cluster headache is a poorly understood, excruciatingly painful condition. It has a terrible impact on the lives of those affected. Whilst there are treatments available that offer some relief for some patients, many people struggle to get relief.
This research has shed new light on the processes underlying cluster headache, and has provided evidence of a specific way in which cluster headache could be treated in the future.
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