Sleep disturbance management in patients with trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias

Abstract

Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) are rare but are the most intense primary headaches that severely limit patients’ ability to work and be socially active. This article reviews the modern classification of TACs, based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3, and the key differences between TAC types, as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms – the role of the trigeminovascular system, autonomic nervous system, hypothalamus and vagus nerve – and their relation to circadian rhythms. The sleep disturbances that can occur in patients with TACs, exacerbating the course of the disease, and the role of melatonin, hypothalamus and suprachiasmatic nucleus in these conditions are also discussed. In addition, current therapies for cluster headache are described, which include acute therapy and prophylactic therapy, with recommendations regarding the timing of prophylactic therapy discontinuation. The review also includes the available data on melatonin as well as new therapies such as CGRP monoclonal antibodies and neuromodulation, which includes the two most promising techniques: non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation and sphenopalatine ganglion microstimulation. Furthermore, the authors present the clinical case of a patient with chronic cluster headache, which was significantly reduced in frequency and intensity when melatonin was added to the therapy.

Keywords

• trigeminal autonomic cephalgia
• cluster headache
• sleep disorders
• melatonin
• preventive therapy