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Current Pain and Headache Reports
Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports 5/2014

01-05-2014 | Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias (M Matharu, Section Editor)

Licit and Illicit Drug Use in Cluster Headache

Authors: Amelie Govare, Elizabeth Leroux

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports | Issue 5/2014

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Abstract

Cluster headache patients seem to use more licit and illicit substances than the general population. The epidemiologic data supporting this is growing. We included the licit drugs in this review because their use seems to be driven by the same addiction mechanisms leading to illicit drug abuse. Some drugs may be used in an attempt to treat cluster headache, especially cocaine and hallucinogens. Drug exposure may also play a role in CH pathophysiology, as suggested by interesting data on tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure. A common factor may contribute both to CH and drug use predisposition. Genetic factors may be at play, and the dopaminergic and orexinergic pathways could be targeted for future studies.
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Metadata
Title
Licit and Illicit Drug Use in Cluster Headache
Authors
Amelie Govare
Elizabeth Leroux
Publication date
01-05-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Pain and Headache Reports / Issue 5/2014
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-014-0413-8

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