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Cluster headache (CH) is a debilitating neurovascular condition characterized by severe unilateral periorbital head pain. Deep brain stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus has shown potential in alleviating CH in its most severe, chronic form. During surgical implantation of stimulating macroelectrodes for cluster head pain, one of our patients suffered a CH attack. During the attack local field potentials displayed a significant increase in power of approximately 20 Hz. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first recorded account of neuronal activity observed during a cluster attack. Our results both support and extend the current literature, which has long implicated hypothalamic activation as key to CH generation, predominantly through indirect haemodynamic neuroimaging techniques. Our findings reveal a potential locus in CH neurogenesis and a potential rationale for efficacious stimulator titration.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/j.1468-2982.2009.01846.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cephalalgia

Publication Date

11/2009

Volume

29

Pages

1165 - 1173

Keywords

Adult, Cluster Headache, Deep Brain Stimulation, Electrodes, Implanted, Female, Humans, Hypothalamus, Posterior, Male, Middle Aged