Cardiovascular and biochemical assessment in migraine patients submitted to tilt test
Cortelli, P.; de Carolis, P.; Sturani, A.; Ligabue, A.; Lugaresi, A.; Agati, R.; Baldrati, A.; Sacquegna, T.
Functional Neurology 1(3): 285-290
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0393-5264 PMID: 3609861 Document Number: 272655
Ten migraine patients underwent a tilt test both during migraine attack and headache-free interval, and the following parameters were assessed: plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE), and serum dopamine beta hydroxylase (D beta H), systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate (SBP, DBP, HR). SBP during the tilt test showed a fall greater than 30 mmHg in 2 cases in the headache-free interval and in 4 cases during migraine attack. In migraine patients in headache-free interval, tilt test increased NE and D beta H as it did in the control group, while in migraine attack tilt test increased NE and D beta H less than in the control group. This impairment of the sympathetic nervous system during the migraine attack is discussed.