Clinical Research Directory

The Will Erwin Headache Research Center - Cluster Headache Study

The Will Erwin Headache Research Center Study of Cluster Headache and Trigeminal Neuralgia is a prospective, multicenter, observational research network for subjects with Cluster Headache and/or Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Pain Biomarker Study

This study investigates molecular and physical biomarkers of headaches in order to better understand mechanisms of these diseases. There are 3 main parts: 1. Use of capsaicin (active ingredient in hot chili peppers) to trigger release of calcitonin gene related peptide - the hypothesis is that this will be different in headache subjects compared to controls (and if so might be used to predict how these patients will respond to certain medications that modulate calcitonin gene-related peptide). Subjects will be given capsaicin as a cream applied to the forehead or the inner nostril, or a hot sauce that is ingested. 2. Use of capsaicin to trigger eye watering - the hypothesis is that oxygen gas will slow down the amount of eye watering. Cluster headache patients respond very powerfully to oxygen gas but to very little else. The mechanism for oxygen is unknown but in rodents there is data that it works on the parasympathetic / lacrimal gland system. This study translates rodent data into humans in a non-invasive way to confirm the mechanism of this very effective treatment. 3. Use of ice water to trigger headaches - brain freeze causes a very short-lived but intense headache that may cause similar biomarker release as other headache disorders. This may be a useful human model for other headache disorders.

Atrioventricular Block and Cluster Headache (SEVA)

Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker widely used to treat cardiovascular diseases however it is also the first line treatment in the prevention of cluster headaches. In France, its prescription in that indication is based on compliance with the Temporary Recommendation for Use (RTU) that insists on the possible the cardiac side effects that can occur as the doses required for cluster headache are significantly higher than the doses used in cardiology.

Repeated GON Injections in CCH

Background: \- The effect of repeated GON-injections has never been studied in a double-blind randomized trial as a prophylactic therapy in a well-documented group of chronic patients. As such, (repeated) GON-injection has not yet found its place in current (inter)national treatment protocols for chronic cluster headache. Objectives: \- The primary objective is to determine if repeated GON-injection result in effective control of cluster headache attacks for more days compared to placebo in chronic cluster headache. Eligibility: \- Patients will be selected from the LUMC (Leiden University Medical Center) and CWZ (Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital) chronic cluster headache populations, diagnosed based upon the ICHD-3. Design: \- Bi-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled retention trial with a maximum follow-up of one year.

nVNS for the Prevention and Treatment of Primary Headache

This study is a single-center, single-arm study. All subjects will receive the same treatment. Children and adolescents (7-20 years old) with migraine who met the inclusion criteria will be enrolled as subjects in the experimental group, and the changes in headache scores before and after the intervention will be compared. The intervention method is as follows: ictal intervention, in which subjects will be evaluated for headache improvement after a short intervention during an acute exacerbation. By wearing a vagus stimulator, the stimulating electrode will be located in the concha region rich in vagus nerve fiber endings, and the appropriate stimulation intensity will be adjusted for stimulation. Therefore, this study will verify the effect of nVNS on the acute treatment of primary headache in children and adolescents. Based on the electrocardiogram and electromyography indicators during the intervention process of nVNS, an objective evaluation system for the improvement of headache by nVNS is established, and the role of stimulation parameters on the effect is further explored to realize the optimization of parameters.

China Headache and Vertigo Registry Study

In the Chinese Headache and Vertigo Registration Study, patients aged 4-99 years with headache (primary headache and secondary headache such as migraine and tension type headache), vertigo (vertigo diseases such as vestibular migraine) and chronic pain (fibromyalgia and other diseases) were collected. The biomarkers, imaging features, right-to-left shunt of the heart (lung), genetic characteristics, treatment, and outcome (in relation to other diseases) of headache-related diseases were studied, and long-term follow-up was planned.

Nurse Intervention Trial

This randomized open-label prospective study focus on headache patients initiating preventive treatment, where the treating physician identifies a need for follow-up visits in specialized healthcare. The study will clarify whether the implementation (compliance) and overall satisfaction of the patient are better with follow-up by a headache nurse compared to standard follow-up. Patients with signed written consent will be randomised to either group a: Telephone calls from nurse after two and 6 week or B. Patient-initiated follow-up by their general practitioner.

Pulsed Radiofrequency Combined With Platelet-Rich Plasma Applied to the Sphenopalatine Ganglion in Treating Episodic Cluster Headache

Cluster headache (CH) is one of the most severe pain accompanied by ipsilateral autonomic symptoms such as lacrimation and conjunctival injection. CH can be categorized into episodic cluster headache (ECH), chronic cluster headache (CCH), and probable CH. Intervention for CH requires a multifaceted and early approach and varies due to the heterogeneity of patients, which makes it difficult to formulate appropriate treatment plan, and the minimally invasive interventional therapy between drug and surgical treatment is still worth looking forward to. The pterygopalatine ganglion, also known as SPG, is a essential proportion in activation of cortical structures and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of CH attacks, which makes it the potential therapeutic target in drug-resistant CH. Percutaneous pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) at SPG is a minimally destructive treatment which shows efficacy, safety, and repeatedly efficacy for refractory CH. PRF is a reliable alternative with few neurological side effects and complications for patients who have not responded to conservative treatment. However, the long term pain relieve is not satisfying. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous blood-derived product of 3 times concentrated platelet above average levels, which contains many growth factors, cytokines, chemokine, and cell-adhesion molecules, therefore function in the activation and synthesis of healing process, tissue proliferation and regeneration. Researches by Michno etc. and Giaccari etc. have proved that PRP combined with PRF therapy may provide more effective outcome than PRF alone in treatment of neuralgia, but whether the combined therapy can improve the efficacy of CH treatment is not clear. ECH occurs in 90% of the CH patients. The investigators assume that PRP combined with PRF acting on SPG might have better therapeutic effect on ECH than PRF alone, by giving combined treatment or PRF therapy alone according to patients willingness, the investigators plan on conducting this prospective trail to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of PRP combined with PRF versus PRF alone.

Efficacy of Light Therapy in Treatment of Chronic Cluster Headache

Cluster headache is a primary headache. The chronic form of the disease is often difficult to treat. It is now considered a chronobiological disease. This chronobiological character is based on clinical, biological and radiological arguments. This study focuses on the use of light therapy in cluster headache. Light therapy has already been used in the treatment of other chronobiological diseases, such as seasonal depression, but also recently in the therapy of other primary headaches (such as migraine). Its aim is to re-adjust chronobiological rhythms, and it therefore seems worth testing in the chronic form of cluster headache. Light therapy is delivered to the patient using a consumer electronics device.The main objective is to evaluate the prophylactic efficacy of light therapy in patients with chronic cluster headache.

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) as Treatment for Cluster Headache

Background: After no official research in humans in the last 40 years, research and therapeutic uses of the serotonergic psychedelic lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are now re-recognized and include its use in brain research, alcoholism, anxiety associated with terminal illness, and treatment of headache disorders. Specifically, LSD has been reported to abort attacks, to decrease frequency and intensity of attacks, and to induce remission in patients suffering from cluster headache (CH). Objective: To investigate the effects of an oral LSD pulse regimen (3 x 100 µg LSD in three weeks) in patients suffering from CH compared with placebo. Design: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled two-phase cross-over study design. Participants: 30 patients aged ≥ 25 and ≤ 75 years with chronic or episodic CH with predictable periods lasting approximately 2 months and attacks responding to oxygen. Main outcome measures: Changes in frequency and intensity of CH attacks assessed with a standardized headache diary Significance: CH is often rated as the most painful of all primary headaches, which not only causes significant disability, but is also associated with enormous personal, economic, and psychiatric burden. At the moment, there is no specific treatment available for CH, but serotonergic compounds represent an important drug class, especially in the abortive management of cluster attacks. However, there is a need for new treatment approaches, as CH is also often insufficiently managed with available medication. This study will evaluate the potential benefit and safety of a treatment with LSD for patients with CH.

Botulinum Toxin Type A Blockade of the Sphenopalatine Ganglion in Treatment-refractory Chronic Cluster Headache

Cluster headache is a primary headache condition characterized by clusters of one-sided, high-intensity pain attacks. The headache may be episodic or chronic. Treatment options are limited and their effects unsatisfactory. An important nerve pathway involved in the pain attacks has a switching station at the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) located in the depth of the facial bones. SPG is a known therapy target for cluster headache. The area can be identified on CT images, but is difficult to access due to its location. Thus, the Multiguide navigation system has been developed to enable precise delivery of the drugs that target SPG activity. In Trondheim, two phase 1 / Phase 2 study have been carried out using botulinum toxin A (Botox®) against SPG in patient with chronic cluster headache and chronic migraine. The results indicate that such a treatment strategy is safe and beneficial. The current study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blinded study to investigate whether precise single-injection of botulinum toxin A reduces the frequency of attacks in chronic cluster headache .

Quest to Analyze One Thousand Humans Meditating

This study will be focused on assessing the molecular, physiological, and emotional correlates of an intensive meditation experience in the context of a retreat setting in a large 2000 plus-person cohort comprised of healthy and clinical populations.

Role of Specific microRNAs in Cluster Headache

Cluster headache (CH) is a primary headache included in the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) according to the International Calssification of Headache Disorder, Third Edition. CH is characterized by a multifaceted and incompletely understood pathophysiology. Recent experimental evidence has increasingly emphasized the role of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathophysiology of primary headaches, including migraine. In a recent study, we observed an upregulation in the gene expression of two miRNAs, miR-382-5p and miR-34a-5p, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of subjects with chronic migraine (CM). These miRNAs are involved in inflammation modulation and the release of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Notably, this upregulation correlated with the migraine phenotype and its severity. Several neuropeptides have been established to play an active role in CH. Studies by the Danish group have demonstrated that intravenous administration of CGRP, PACAP, or VIP can induce CH attacks in at least 50% of participants in the active phase of the disease. However, no data currently exists regarding the potential involvement of miRNAs in CH. Given this context, the primary aim of this study is to investigate the gene expression of specific miRNAs (miR-382-5p, miR-34a-5p, and miR-155) in PBMCs and plasma levels of neuropeptides (CGRP, PACAP, VIP) in subjects with episodic CH in the active phase (eCH-act), episodic CH in the remission phase (eCH-rem), chronic CH (cCH), and healthy control subjects (HCs).

Clinical Trial of Endoscopically Guided Injection of Exparel (Bupivacaine) for the Treatment of Craniofacial Pain

Exparel has a proven efficacy in providing pain relief for up to 72 hours with a single-dose administration at surgical sites. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopically-guided injection of Exparel (Bupivacaine) for the treatment of craniofacial pain. This study would be conducted in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo- controlled, and cross-over fashion. We aim to investigate whether the administration of Exparel (Bupivacaine) to the lateral nasal wall may positively impact craniofacial pain and functional outcomes, in patients who experience relief with the topical application of Lidocaine (routinely given prior to almost all ENT endoscopy).

A Close Examination of Patient Experiences in Cluster Headache Clinical Research

Historically, participation in clinical studies is highly skewed towards particular demographic groups of people. This research will invite several participants to gather a wide range of information on clinical trial experiences for cluster headache patients. The aim of the study is to identify the factors that limit the ability of a person to enroll in, as well as complete a clinical trial for treatment of cluster headache. The data collected from this study will help improve future outcomes for all cluster headache patients as well as those in under-represented demographic groups.