Potential therapeutic use of melatonin in migraine and other headache disorders

@article{Peres2006PotentialTU,
  title={Potential therapeutic use of melatonin in migraine and other headache disorders},
  author={M{\'a}rio Fernando Prieto Peres and Marcelo Rodrigues Masruha and Eliova Zukerman and Carlos Alberto Moreira-Filho and Esper Abr{\~a}o Cavalheiro},
  journal={Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs},
  year={2006},
  volume={15},
  pages={367 - 375}
}
There is increasing evidence that headache disorders are connected with melatonin secretion and pineal function. Some headaches have a clearcut seasonal and circadian pattern, such as cluster and hypnic headaches. Melatonin levels have been found to be decreased in both migraine and cluster headaches. Melatonin mechanisms are related to headache pathophysiology in many ways, including its anti-inflammatory effect, toxic free radical scavenging, reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine… 
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67 Citations
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67 Citations

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Drugs designed to inhibit cortical spreading depression, for example tonabersat, might offer a useful option for the management of migraine with aura but not for migraine without aura, and inducible nitric-oxide synthase inhibition seems ineffective as a prophylactic strategy.
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