Dr. Harald Müller, former president of the cluster self-help groups in Germany, opens the study
Pain Clinic Kiel and University Hospital Hamburg are investigating the genetic basis of cluster headaches
Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias are characterized by very severe and unbearable headaches, accompanied by symptoms of the autonomic nervous system in the head region, such as conjunctival injection (redness of the conjunctiva), lacrimation (watery eyes), nasal congestion and/or rhinorrhea (blocked and/or runny nose), increased sweating of the forehead and face, miosis (constricted pupil), ptosis (drooping eyelid), eyelid edema, and skin changes. During an attack, those affected are usually restless and hyperactive.
Scientists at the Kiel Pain Clinic and the University Hospital Hamburg are investigating which molecular genetic factors play a role in the development of cluster headaches and other rare primary headache disorders. To this end, we are seeking patients suffering from cluster headaches and other rare primary headache disorders, such as hemicrania continua, chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, SUNCT, and others.
Epidemiological data on cluster headaches indicate an increased risk of the disease in first-degree relatives. Familial cases are also reported in the very rare primary headache disorders. Unlike, for example, cystic fibrosis or Huntington's disease, where a single gene is altered, several genes are involved in the development of primary headache disorders. This makes it considerably more difficult to identify the causative gene alterations.
To identify relevant regions in the genome, we therefore rely on the cooperation of as many patients as possible. The physicians and scientists at the Kiel Pain Clinic and the Hamburg Institute of Human Genetics plan to examine several hundred patients suffering from cluster headaches and other rare primary headache disorders.
Our goal is to use genetic analyses to comprehensively investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying rare primary headache disorders. Participants only need to provide a blood sample and complete a questionnaire about their illness. Once the genes involved are identified, we hope that new and more effective therapies can be developed in the long term to better treat these debilitating symptoms.
Anyone who would like to participate in the study can contact
Senior Physician Dr. Katja Heinze-Kuhn,
Neurological Pain Therapy Practice at the Kiel Pain Clinic,
Email: praxis@schmerzklinik.de
, Phone: +49 431-20099-400
We will contact you by phone or online. The blood sample (1 tube of EDTA blood) can be taken by your family doctor.
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