Circadian Changes of the Hypothalamic Activity in Patients Suffering From Cluster Headache

University of Zurich (UZH)

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Cluster Headache

Treatments: Diagnostic Test: MRI examination

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04409977

2018-02389

Details and patient eligibility

About

Cluster headache attacks do not occur randomly throughout the day, but have a clear circadian rhythmicity. The aim of this study is to investigate circadian changes of the brain, the autonomic nervous system and pain processing systems.

Full description

Cluster headache attacks do not occur randomly throughout the day, but have a clear circadian rhythmicity. The aim of this study is to investigate circadian changes in the functional connectivity, spectroscopy, iron deposition and perfusion of the brain. In addition, we plan to investigate circadian changes in the pain threshold of the brain using quantitative sensory testing (QST). Finally, we will investigate changes in the autonomic nervous system measuring the pupillary response.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 85 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of cluster headache (CH) may enter the patient group, patients not suffering from CH may enter the control group.
• knowledge of the german language suffices to understand the information sheet and consent form
• having read, understood and signed the consent form

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy
• contraindications for the MRI scan (particularly metal splinters, ferromagnetic devices and implants)
• claustrophobia
• obesity (MRI > 35 kg/m2)
• shift working (last night shift must date back more than one week)
• jet lag (last travel over more than two time zones must date back more than one week)

Trial design

60 participants in 2 patient groups

Patient group

Description:

Patients suffering from cluster headache will be included in this group. When analysing the data, the investigators will distinguish those in the in-bout period from those in the out-bout period. People in this group may participate twice: once in the in-bout and once in the out-bout period.

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: MRI examination

Control group

Description:

Participants not suffering from cluster headache will be included in this group.

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: MRI examination