by FYI Health Writer
on Jan 25, 2011
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Summary
Several studies suggest that genetic factors may be involved in susceptibility to cluster headaches. Cluster headache patients often develop headache attacks after consuming alcohol. A recently published study from University of Torino in Italy examined possible links between alcohol and cluster headaches. According to the findings, there is a strong link between cluster headache and a gene called ADH4, which helps degrade alcohol in humans.

Purpose
“Alcohol is a well-known trigger factor for cluster headache attacks during the active phases of the disease.” It is known that alcohol can not only cause an attack of cluster headaches, but may also turn the episodic type of headache into a chronic and more distressing form.  The mechanism of this link between alcohol and cluster headaches has been unclear. Previously, some other types of headache, like migraines, have been linked to specific genes. The researchers hoped that they could find a link between cluster headaches and genes that were responsible for metabolizing alcohol in the body. Alcohol is degraded by the enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ADH). ADH is a protective enzyme that degrades alcohol without generating toxic by-products. A minimum of seven different genes encode this enzyme. The ADH4 gene has previously been linked to alcohol and drug dependence, so the researchers focused on this gene.

Methodology
•    110 male and female cluster headache patients were enrolled in this study. The patient group was compared to a control group of 203 people without headaches. Disorders related to alcohol use were also identified in both groups.
•    Blood was drawn from patients and normal individuals and these blood samples were used to test for presence of specific types of genes.
•    Genetic tests were performed to identify polymorphisms in the ADH4 gene in both the groups. The frequency of polymorphisms in the ADH4 gene was compared between them to find whether a specific gene occurred more often in patients of cluster headaches.

Key Findings
•    The ADH4 gene was found to be significantly associated with cluster headaches in this study.
•    Specifically, the occurrence of one particular genotype was markedly differently in cluster headache patients as compared to non-sufferers.
•    According to calculations based on the study findings, individuals who have a specific genotype (AA) of this gene have a more than two times greater risk of suffering from cluster headaches than those without this genotype.

Shortcomings
A link between ADH4 gene and cluster headaches seems likely. However, other genes that lie close to ADH4 may be the actual culprits. Also, genes and genetic mechanisms are very complex, which means that the ADH4 gene alone cannot explain the occurrence of cluster headaches. The authors in fact stress that although their findings show that the ADH4 gene may be a genetic risk factor for cluster headaches, more research is required to explore the mechanism of this link.

Conclusions
This study has shown that a real, not merely anecdotal, link does exist between alcohol use and cluster headaches. For patients suffering from cluster headaches, the results are a clear indicator to avoid alcohol use, particularly during the active phase of their disease. The study has provided a direction for further research to explore how genetic factors can make people susceptible to alcohol-induced cluster headaches In fact, the researchers have suggested that changes in the ADH enzyme may influence chemicals involved in the transmission of pain in the brain.

For More Information:
Cluster Headache Linked to Gene Responsible for Alcohol Metabolism
Publication Journal: Headache, January 2010
By Innocenzo Rainero MD, PhD, Elisa Rubino, MD; University of Torino, Italy
*FYI Living Lab Reports Are Summaries of the Original Research.
Related Article

    * The Culprit Behind Your Cluster Headaches


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Interesting.  I'll be watching for follow-up studies, and related material. 

Here is the link to the Pub Med abstract referred to in the article:  START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

That's interesting stuff. I see you have a nose for research Billy, I for one appreciate those on the site, like yourself, who are always poking and prodding!

Joe

Quote:

I for one appreciate those on the site, like yourself, who are always poking and prodding!

Of course, Joe loves his regular visits to the proctologist and urologist, too.

Brew wrote on Jan 30^th, 2011 at 10:11am:

Quote: I for one appreciate those on the site, like yourself, who are always poking and prodding! Of course, Joe loves his regular visits to the proctologist and urologist, too.

Thas messed up.... ;D

Joe

I just hope one day someone can add all this up and figure out maybe a cure or a very good iron clad preventative........

so there is a gene that causes people to be addicts?

ChefChris wrote on Jan 30^th, 2011 at 2:28pm:

so there is a gene that causes people to be addicts?

In my mind, there is a good possibility that the same set of genetic properties that predisposes us to develop CH also has something to do with addiction.

Look at how many CH'ers are smokers, and then look at how many have quit without any impact on their CH.

ChefChris wrote on Jan 30^th, 2011 at 2:28pm:

so there is a gene that causes people to be addicts?

It makes sense...it would explain why some people can recreationaly do drugs while others use something once, and they're chemically dependant on the stuff for life.

A complex thing the brain is......

Joe

I always found it to be strange was that no one in my family that I know of has cluster headaches.  I also never smoked. I drink occasionally.  I can go months without a drink or glass of wine (I just lose my taste for it).  I have brown eyes and I'm a female.  I know for a fact that I don't have an addictive personality.  I have had a ton of hard cord pain killers over the years to get me though these prior to having someone that knew what they were doing and once the pain stopped I stopped using the pills and they sat in the cabinet for years until the cluster would start again.

Now my bio father fit every trait.  He was an alcoholic, smoked heavy, blue eyes, rugged skin, Male.  Now I often wonder could I have inherited the cluster's due to half his DNA. 

Sami

Samiam wrote on Jan 30^th, 2011 at 8:35pm:

I always found it to be strange was that no one in my family that I know of has cluster headaches.  I also never smoked. I drink occasionally.  I can go months without a drink or glass of wine (I just lose my taste for it).  I have brown eyes and I'm a female.  I know for a fact that I don't have an addictive personality.  I have had a ton of hard cord pain killers over the years to get me though these prior to having someone that knew what they were doing and once the pain stopped I stopped using the pills and they sat in the cabinet for years until the cluster would start again. Now my bio father fit every trait.  He was an alcoholic, smoked heavy, blue eyes, rugged skin, Male.  Now I often wonder could I have inherited the cluster's due to half his DNA.  Sami

In the discussion of addiction, let's not forget that substance addiction is not the only culprit on the table. Process addiction (which while not universally accepted by the medical community is well acknowledged in the recovery community) also exists. Process addictions include overeating anything, porn, sex, hoarding, overworking, thrill seeking, etc. The idea is the activity produces a natural body hormonal response (like adrenalin or oxytocin or endomorphs) and we habituate to the feeling we get while engaged in the activity. It rises to the level of addiction when such actions have serious personal and social consequences, and when we are unable to "kick" the activity without some kind of intervention.

Not necessarily part of the discussion but if we are examining the link between addictive personalities and CHs, there is a whole lot more territory to cover. I believe I did see research on the smoking/CH connection and the role of the hypothalmus and endocrine system in both. But, let's remember, the CH is a primary disease, and it would not surprise us to find all sorts of secondary symptoms and attachments.  Blessings. lance

Then you have to throw in the nature vs nuture/enviornmental
aspect of addiction.

I find this thread interesting.  My CH's started when I was 21.  I was a smoker then.  When I was a teenager, I messed around with all kinds of drugs, sadly.  I think the ONE thing I've never been drawn to is alcohol.  I've probably been drunk two or three times in my life and hated every second of it.  I drink a few times a year and never have more than 2 or 3 drinks.  It just isn't for me.  I am so easily addicted to things, and it's why I'm hesitant to take any kind of pills without knowing a lot about them.  I'd be popping percocet for the rest of my life if I could.  They say when you quit smoking, the cravings go away after a while.  It's been 7 years since I had a cigarette, and I miss them every frickin' day.  This is why clusterbusters probably would not be the greatest idea for me.  Plus, I have depression.  It wouldn't be a good combination.

So you can chalk me up as another person with an addictive personality who has CH's.

SimplyBecky wrote on Feb 1^st, 2011 at 12:06am:

It's been 7 years since I had a cigarette, and I miss them every frickin' day.  This is why clusterbusters probably would not be the greatest idea for me.  Plus, I have depression.  It wouldn't be a good combination.

LOL in a dark humor kind of way about missing them every frikkin day still after 7 years.  :D

The clusterbuster stuff like RC seeds and mushrooms aren't known to be addicting.....well last I checked anyway....are they?

In any event kudos for avoiding the bad addictions and just cultivating the good ones - like nutty pet collections.  8-)

I do think you're smart for really considering the depression factor when it comes to the potentially strong stuff like mushrooms, where a bad trip is a possibility.

The clusterbuster stuff like RC seeds and mushrooms aren't known to be addicting.....well last I checked anyway....are they?quote]

Well, since I never tried it, I don't know if it's addicting.  But trust me -- I can make just about anything addicting.  I'm terrible!  Anything that makes me feel the slightest bit better in any way is addicting to me.

SimplyBecky wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2011 at 2:22am:

I'm terrible!  Anything that makes me feel the slightest bit better in any way is addicting to me.

You'll love oxygen then!

Mind you, I've been addicted to getting a very regular supply of it for all my life and I've no intentions of giving it up.

Well, oxygen never hurt anyone!! :)  Um, right?

SimplyBecky wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2011 at 2:39am:

Well, oxygen never hurt anyone!! :)  Um, right?

It doesn't have a perfect record, e.g. Apollo 1 fire, people smoking whilst on O2, etc, but it's far superior to that of those who stop using it, which is 100% fatal.

OK Ok OK, Well then you can say I have an addictive personality...LOL :D  I do buy things and it's always in multiples...(you know in case they stop making it)  :P I also tend to over eat if in a stressful situation. :-[  I also don't care what you all say shopping is not an addiction :P and I'm not showing this thread to my husband he'll want to know why I don't have a sex addiction :D.....ROFLMAO

Quote:

shopping is not an addiction

I've heard it's called "retail therapy."

Yeah, it works great when you actually have the money to do it. 

Brew wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2011 at 5:30pm:

Quote: shopping is not an addiction I've heard it's called "retail therapy."

So then we can check that off the list of addictions then right? ;D

SimplyBecky wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2011 at 5:33pm:

Yeah, it works great when you actually have the money to do it.

Money who has money I just use that little plastic thing....Dam that might be a problem....LOL ;)

I know the tenor of this thread is rather humerous (arrh...arrh...joke...Mork from Ork) but addiction is reserved for those substance abuses and processes that result in serious social consequences....arrest, loss of job, severe family dysfunction...massive debt, etc.  We ALL overdo something. This is often more a product of personal insecurity, fear, or in buying two of something, even good family economics. 20 pair of shoes? Or Filet mignon vs. cab steak? Maybe more a personal greed kinda thing. Worth examining during Lent but probably not addiction. So...I'm not saying you can max out your credit cards...just that a little self restraint is often called for.

Can something good for us be addictive? Like hormonal secretions. That's what's debated. If the activity or process results in a full nonstop downward spiral of personal and social consequences...then I say, yes. Just some thoughts. Blessings. lance

Hi Lance,

Yes the tune of this thread turned humorist. With some joking but in reality I fully understand addiction.  I come from a father who was an alcoholic.  Who lost his family his job (after many many years of showing up to work drunk which wasn't good since he was an Air Traffic Controller). His house and his kids.  I haven't seen him in many many years.  Funny he had all the traits of clusters yet he did not develop them.  Heavy drinker, heavy smoker, rugged skin and light eyes, male.  I often wonder if this condition is genetic.

My BIL who was the best person that you could have known walk away from a wife and 4 kids to live on the streets and not really have a job other then just to make enough to buy drugs and alcohol.  True addiction.  Our family has been devastated by addiction so I understand all to well what a true addict is willing to forgo in order to maintain their addiction.  I have friends that fight addiction everyday and twin cousins that both experiment with drugs only to find out one could stop and the other could not this is after 20 yrs.

I also believe that many tend to medicate themselves for a mental problem that goes undiagnosed.  Bi polar tends to be one of the leading cause of addiction or self medication.

As for myself, I don't over indulge in CC's, (paid at the end of each month in full) I don't over indulge with alcohol (I don't like the way my head feels altered) my family is not put in danger or financial ruin by my decisions.  I don't take pain killers for this condition since I understand all to well that they don't help and only lead to problems.  I have used pain killers prior in my life but once the problem that lead to me using them subsided the drugs were stopped.

Many in my day were giving hard core drugs to battle the clusters which really never stopped the pain other then put you in a state of not caring.  Been there, done that.  It wasn't until I came here several years ago did I even know about O2 and I have been with Neuro's for years.  I was still given Stadol  and delalid (sp?) up until 1995.  My treatment did not start to consist of DHE 45 until 95 and then when the shots kinda went by the waist side I was put on Imitrex.  I was never lucky enough to find a preventive after trying almost all of them.

I do believe that this cycle was very different.  I had started on 5HTTP and within a month of taking this the clusters started.  Which was Dec 26th.  It's Feb 5th and I have not had any serious hits since 1/20.  Maybe one or two but that's it and they were only kip 2's.  So for me either my cycle changed (cycle was 6-8 weeks) or the 5 Http which alters serotonin was what triggered this hit.  It would also make sense since it would take about that long for the body to go back to baseline.

So you have to wonder if people that develop Clusters are predisposed to a gene that also is in common with addicts.  My conclusion would be yes.  That doesn't mean that all that have clusters will also become addicts just means you would have to look further into this connection.

Blessings,
Sami

Good letter and response, Samiam. It is tragic when lives are led into disaster through a need to self-medicate emotions and bad situations. It is truly a death spiral. As to the 5HTP...I agree with you. I tried it maybe 4 years ago and it increased the cycle I was in at the time. Blessings. lance