PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

I Rainero

Publications and source records attributed to I Rainero.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Haemochromatosis gene (HFE) polymorphisms and migraine: an association study.

Several studies have suggested that iron metabolism may be involved in the pathogenesis of migraine. Using a case-control design, we performed an association study in a cohort of Italian migraine patients to evaluate whether a particular allele or genotype of the haemochromatosis gene (HFE) would modify the occurrence and clinical features of the disease. We genotyped 256 migraine patients and 237 healthy age-, sex- and ethnicity-matched controls for the C282Y and H63D polymorphisms of the HFE gene. Phenotype and allele frequencies of both polymorphisms were similarly distributed in migraine patients and controls. The patients carrying the DD genotype of the H63D polymorphism showed a later age at onset of the disease and an increased number of migraine attacks. Our data suggest that the HFE gene is not a major disease gene for migraine. However, the H63D polymorphism of the HFE gene may be considered a modifying genetic factor in migraine.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Insulin sensitivity is impaired in patients with migraine.

Several studies have shown the presence of a comorbidity between migraine and vascular diseases, like hypertension and stroke. The mechanisms of this comorbidity are unknown. Impaired insulin sensitivity has recently emerged as a risk factor for hypertension and stroke. We evaluated insulin sensitivity in 30 young, nonobese, nondiabetic, normotensive migraine patients and in 15 healthy controls. During the OGTT, glucose plasma concentrations were significantly higher in migraineurs than in controls. Insulin sensitivity, as measured by ISI-stumvoll and OGIS-180 indexes, was significantly altered in migraine. Our data show that insulin sensitivity is impaired in migraine and suggest a role for insulin resistance in the comorbidity between migraine and vascular diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Lack of association between the 3092 T-->C Clock gene polymorphism and cluster headache.

Recent studies suggested that genetic factors play a role in cluster headache (CH). However, the type and the number of genes involved in the disease are still unclear. We performed an association study in a cohort of Italian CH patients to evaluate whether a particular allele or genotype of the Clock gene would modify the occurrence and the clinical features of the disease. One hundred and seven CH patients, diagnosed according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition, (ICHD-II) criteria, and 210 healthy age, sex and ethnicity-matched controls were genotyped for the 3092 T-->C Clock gene polymorphism (also known as 3111 T-->C). Phenotype and allele frequencies were similarly distributed in CH patients and controls. The clinical features of the disease were not significantly influenced by different genotypes. In conclusion, our study suggests that the 3092 T-->C polymorphism of the Clock gene is unlikely to play an important role in cluster headache.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

A polymorphism of the hypocretin receptor 2 gene is associated with cluster headache.

Several polymorphisms of the hypocretin/orexin system genes were evaluated in 109 cluster headache patients and 211 controls. The 1246 G>A polymorphism of the gene was significantly different between cases and controls. Homozygosity for the G allele was associated with an increased disease risk (OR: 6.79, 95% CI, 2.25 to 22.99). The data suggest that the HCRTR2 gene or a linked locus significantly modulates the risk for cluster headache.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Association between the tumor necrosis factor-alpha -308 G/A gene polymorphism and migraine.

In a group of 299 migraine patients and 306 control subjects, the association of the -308 G/A polymorphism in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene (TNFalpha) with the occurrence and clinical characteristics of migraine was tested. Homozygosity for the G allele was associated with an increased risk of migraine (odds ratio [OR] = 2.85, p < 0.001). When the patients were divided into subgroups, the association was confirmed in patients affected by migraine without aura (OR = 3.30, p < 0.001) but not in migraine with aura. These data suggest that the TNFalpha gene or a linked locus significantly modulates the risk for migraine.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Headache attributed to spontaneous low CSF pressure: report of three cases responsive to corticosteroids.

The therapy of headache attributed to spontaneous low CSF pressure (previously defined as spontaneous intracranial hypotension) is still a matter of debate. Epidural blood patch is considered the most effective treatment. However, pharmacological strategies may be considered before blood patch. We report three patients with headache attributed to spontaneous low CSF pressure that were successfully treated with oral prednisone. Additional studies may be useful to prove the effectiveness of corticosteroids in this syndrome.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2004

Lack of interaction between a polymorphism in the dopamine D2 receptor gene and the clinical features of migraine.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a particular genotype of the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene would affect the clinical features of migraine. In a group of 118 migraineurs (55 migraine with aura and 63 migraine without aura patients), we tested the association of the biallelic C/T NcoI DRD2 polymorphism with several characteristics of the disease. Genotype and allele frequencies resulted similarly distributed in migraine with aura and migraine without aura patients (chi2 = 1.58, P = 0.45 and chi2 = 0.09, P = 0.77, respectively). The different DRD2 genotypes (C/C, C/T and T/T) had no significant effects on age at onset of migraine, presence of premonitory phenomena, frequency of headache attacks, associated symptoms, psychological features and quality of life of our migraine patients. The results of our study do not support a role for the DRD2 gene in modifying the clinical features of migraine.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Hypnic headache syndrome: association of the attacks with REM sleep.

We describe the polysomnographic data of two patients with nocturnal headache attacks fulfilling the clinical criteria for hypnic headache syndrome. Two overnight polysomnographic studies were performed in each patient. Four nocturnal headache attacks were captured, all emerging from the REM phase of sleep. Our findings suggest a close relationship between the REM phase of sleep and the appearance of hypnic headache attacks.

Female↗
PubMed2003

Abnormal 5-HT1D receptor function in cluster headache: a neuroendocrine study with sumatriptan.

The purpose of this study was to assess the sensitivity of 5-HT(1D) receptors in patients with episodic cluster headache using sumatriptan as a pharmacological probe. The drug, a selective 5-HT(1B/1D) agonist, stimulates the secretion of growth hormone and inhibits the release of prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol. These effects may be used to explore the function of serotonergic systems in vivo. We administered subcutaneous sumatriptan and placebo to 20 patients with cluster headache (10 in the active phase and 10 in the remission period) and to 12 controls. The sumatriptan-induced increase of growth hormone concentrations was significantly (P < 0.05) blunted in patients with active cluster headache. Prolactin and ACTH responses to the drug were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in patients with cluster headache, both in the active and in the remission period. Our results suggest that cerebral serotonergic functions mediated by 5-HT(1D) receptors are altered in patients with episodic cluster headache.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Decreased sensitivity of 5-HT1D receptors in chronic tension-type headache.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the sensitivity of 5-HT1D receptors in chronic tension-type headache using sumatriptan as a pharmacological probe. BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested involvement of serotonergic systems in chronic tension-type headache (CTTH), but relevant experimental data are limited. Sumatriptan, a 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist, stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH) and inhibits the release of ACTH, cortisol, and prolactin. These effects may be used to explore the function of serotonergic systems in vivo. METHODS: We measured GH, ACTH, cortisol and prolactin (PRL) plasma concentrations in 15 patients with chronic tension-type headache and in 18 healthy controls after subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan (6 mg) or placebo. RESULTS: Placebo administration had no effect on hormone concentrations. GH and PRL secretion after sumatriptan administration was significantly (P<0.01 and <0.05) altered in CTTH patients in comparison with controls. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that cerebral serotonergic functions mediated by 5-HT1D receptors are altered in CTTH.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Food and headache attacks. A comparison of patients with migraine and tension-type headache.

BACKGROUND: The role of foods as headache precipitants is still matter of debate. Several studies reported that dietary constituents may precipitate migraine attacks. Some authors reported that also tension type headache attacks may be provoked by foods. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of foods as headache triggers in both groups of patients. METHODS: We compared the role of foods as headache trigger in patients with migraine and tension type headache. Three hundred and nine patients were involved in the study and divided into six groups: 1) migraine without aura, 2) migraine with aura, 3) episodic tension type headache, 4) chronic tension type headache, 5) migraine without aura associated with episodic tension type headache, 6) migraine without aura associated with chronic tension type headache. RESULTS: Approximately one third of the patients reported susceptibility to certain foods. The percentage of food sensitivity was not significantly different between patients with migraine or tension type headache. The foods more commonly reported as headache triggers were alcoholic drinks, chocolate and cheese. No difference in specific food sensitivity between groups was found. The comparison of food-sensitive with food non-sensitive patients showed no significant difference in the clinical features. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that foods may trigger not only migraine but also tension type headache attacks.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Neuroendocrine effects of subcutaneous sumatriptan in patients with migraine.

We evaluated the sensitivity of 5-HT1D receptors in patients with migraine using sumatriptan as a pharmacological probe. The drug inhibits the release of ACTH, cortisol and prolactin and this effect may be used to explore the function of serotoninergic systems in vivo. We administered sumatriptan (6 mg sc) and placebo to 15 migraineurs, during the headache-free period, and to 10 healthy controls. Blood samples were collected -15, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 min after injections. Sumatriptan induced a significant (p<0.01) decrease of ACTH, cortisol and prolactin concentrations both in patients with migraine and in controls. The neuroendocrine response was not significantly different in the two groups. Our results suggest that 5-HT1D receptor sensitivity is not altered in migraine.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed2001

Autonomic dysfunction associated with multiple pelvic ganglioneuromas.

We describe the case of a 59-year-old male in which several symptoms of autonomic dysfunction resulted associated with the presence of multiple ganglioneuromas in the adrenal glands and in paravertebral spaces. In a 2-year period, the patient developed sexual dysfunctions, micturitional disturbances and severe orthostatic hypotension and was erroneously diagnosed as having primary autonomic failure. However, the examination of all the autonomic functions showed that papillary function and cardiovascular reflexes were normal. CT scan of the abdomen revealed the presence of several small masses in the adrenal glands and along the lumbar sympathetic chain. Cytologic examination of the adrenal glands showed clusters of ganglionlike cells interspersed with Schwann cells, leading to the diagnosis of ganglioneuromas. Patients with signs and symptoms of autonomic dysfunction need an extensive clinical and laboratory examination of all the autonomic functions in order to exclude secondary causes of the symptomatology.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

Quantitative EEG responses to ischaemic arm stress in migraine.

Several studies suggest that patients with migraine respond physiologically to stress differently from controls, yet experimental data are scarce. In order to evaluate the reactivity to stress in migraine, we recorded the quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) during non-noxious and noxious ischaemic arm stress in two groups of healthy controls and compared the results with the effects of non-noxious ischaemic arm stress in a group of patients with migraine. In the controls, non-noxious mild stress did not produce any qEEG change but noxious stress induced a significant decrease of the alpha power. By contrast, in migraine patients the non-noxious mild stress was sufficient to induce a significant decrease of the alpha power in all brain regions. The results of our study show that migraine sufferers display a lower threshold to physical stress and confirm previous studies indicating that migraine is a disease characterized by a state of altered neuronal excitability.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Effects of subcutaneous sumatriptan on plasma growth hormone concentrations in migraine patients.

The purpose of this study was to assess the sensitivity of 5-HT1D receptors in migraine using sumatriptan as a pharmacological probe. The drug stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH) and this effect may be used to explore the function of cerebral serotonergic systems in vivo. We administered sumatriptan and placebo to 15 migraineurs and to 10 controls. Blood samples were collected -15, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 min after injection. Placebo had no effect on hormone concentrations. Sumatriptan induced a significant (P<0.01) increase in GH concentrations both in migraine patients and healthy controls. The GH increase was not significantly different in the two groups. Our results suggest that cerebral serotonergic functions mediated by 5-HT1D receptors are not altered in migraine. Sumatriptan overuse could lead to adverse effects mediated by its neuroendocrine activity.

Adult↗