This is a messy piece if you don't know the history of how the hypothalamus became identified as the major player in CH but--that is what it's saying. The dilation of blood vessels as the source of CH is now out; Goadsby (and others) have shown that we have a neurological disorder. So, while heat/body temperature is a variable for some people, it's not the causal issue.
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Interesting to note that he is saying that the primary mode of action is NOT as a vasoconstrictor but on its effect on the central nervous system. Doesn't change our appreciation of this class of meds but suggests we need to change how we think about the nature of CH.
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Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2007;(177):129-43.   


Serotonin receptor ligands: treatments of acute migraine and cluster headache.

Goadsby PJ.

Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK. peterg@ion.ucl.ac.uk

Fuelled by the development of the serotonin 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor agonists, the triptans, the last 15 years has seen an explosion of interest in the treatment of acute migraine and cluster headache. Sumatriptan was the first of these agonists, and it launched a wave of therapeutic advances. These medicines are effective and safe. Triptans were developed as cranial vasoconstrictors to mimic the desirable effects of serotonin, while avoiding its side-effects. It has subsequently been shown that the triptans' major action is neuronal, with both peripheral and central trigeminal inhibitory effects, as well as actions in the thalamus and at central modulatory sites, such as the periaqueductal grey matter. Further refinements may be possible as the 5-HT(1D) and 5-HT(1F) receptor agonists are explored. Serotonin receptor pharmacology has contributed much to the better management of patients with primary headache disorders.

PMID: 17087122 [PubMed]

black wrote on Aug 17^th, 2009 at 8:33am:


Blood pressure can be one factor, but is not the central one. The vasodilation is generally local (around trigeminal nerve, and in brain) and cluster headaches can be associated with high blood pressure. 

Some medicines that treat clusters can increase blood pressure (triptans) while others are known for lowering it (verapamil, magnesium).

black wrote on Aug 19^th, 2009 at 8:36am:

black wrote on Aug 19^th, 2009 at 8:36am:


Yes and no.
The hypothalamus is thought to be the generator of chemical release and response.
One train of thought is that the brain center reacts too fast or too slow in compensating for body internal and external conditions. The hypothalamus is also thought to regulate our internal clocks wich helps to explain the regularity of CH.
It is thought that the process goes out of wack and over or under compensates with certain brain and body chemicals.
Serotonin is one of the bodies primary neurological chemicals and its levels are in constant flux in both the body and brain
The serotonin receptors or gateways in the brain, (and there are many of varying types and pathways), can with modern theoretical science be manipulated and be blocked or opened to signal the differing neuro reactions, pain is one of those reactions on the neurological pathways.
CH and other neurological pains are along those pathways and each manifests differently through different doorways or receptors via differing stimuli.

Thanks MJ and everybody for your time

Quote:


well that is quite obvious too and unecessary to point out

He is right and i have to say that i am too much of simple minded(gentle expression) the way i approached the subject.Bear me for some seconds.
At the back of my mind I had that IF weather is a trigger and vascular constriction/high blood pressure seems to help with ch then
what if we could play (figure of speech)with some rules that are all over internet about people with hypertension.
For example there are rules like
1.wear warm clothes in the cold(maybe some lighter clothes could help us with ch even if we get colder?)
2.Eat warm food(is it better for us to eat it directly from the fridge?)etc. etc.
But yet again weather follows a different pattern for me(better in the summer heat,much worser during winter cold).
Of course all these thoughts of mine prove to be bulls@^%t as i read Bob Johnson,Monty and MJ.
so sorry for this long useless post.

p.s.1    i warned you to bear me.Didn't i?
p.s 2    i ve already put on sheets in the mirrors of my house