Chronobiological features of primary headaches and the role of melatonin in the regulation of biological rhythms

Abstract

Frequency is considered as a key sign of the course of some forms of primary headaches (PH). One of the most prominent representatives is the hypnical and cluster headache, which predetermined their name. Clinical observations demonstrate a clear circadian rhythm and seasonal pattern of cluster headache (CH) and migraine (M) attacks. In accordance with modern concepts, the phenomenon of the periodicity of painful episodes of a number of forms of primary headaches is associated with dysfunction of the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus, the main pacemaker of biological rhythms. The connection of PH with chronopathology is confirmed by revealing the disturbances of melatonin secretion in CH and M. Melatonin has proven to be effective in treatment of these PH.

Keywords

• primary headaches
• migraine
• cluster headache
• tension type headache
• melatonin
• biological rhythms
• chronobiology