Colwell, C.S.

Doesborg, P.

Ferrari, M.D.

Fronczek, R.

Haan, J.

Meijer, J.H.

Naber, W.C.

ObjectiveTo review and discuss the putative role of light, sleep, and the biological clock in cluster headache.DiscussionCluster headache attacks are believed to be modulated in the hypothalamus; moreover, the severe pain and typical autonomic cranial features associated with cluster headache are caused by abnormal activity of the trigeminal-autonomic reflex. The temporal pattern of cluster headache attacks suggests involvement of the biological clock, and the seasonal pattern is influenced by the number of daylight hours. Although sleep is often reported as a trigger for cluster headache attacks, to date no clear correlation has been established between these attacks and sleep stage.ConclusionsWe hypothesize that light, sleep, and the biological clock can change the brain's state, thereby lowering the threshold for activating the trigeminal-autonomic reflex, resulting in a cluster headache attack. Understanding the mechanisms that contribute to the daily and seasonal fluctuations in cluster headache attacks may provide new therapeutic targets

Naber, Willemijn C

Fronczek, Rolf

Haan, Joost

Doesborg, Patty

Colwell, Christopher S

Ferrari, Michel D

Meijer, Johanna H

eScholarship - University of California

The biological clock in cluster headache: A review and hypothesis

Leiden University Scholary Publications

https://escholarship.org/content/qt0tn7r4sh/qt0tn7r4sh.pdf?t=qbp8mj

The biological clock in cluster headache: A review and hypothesis

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eScholarship - University of California

Leiden University Scholary Publications