Posted by Bob P (129.65.46.87) on July 19, 2001 at 12:18:53:
In Reply to: PM crap posted by Richard S on July 19, 2001 at 11:56:31:
your melatonin is definately messed up! This from the OUCH Library:
The typical cyclic occurrence of cluster headache suggests the involvement
of hypothalamic rhythm regulating centers in the pathogenesis of this
primary headache. In previous studies, reduced 24-h plasma melatonin levels
during the cluster period, loss of circadian melatonin secretion in
remission, as well as permanently reduced excretion of urinary melatonin in
both illness phases have been reported, supporting the hypothesis of a
hypothalamic derangement. In this study, the 24-h urinary excretion of the
main melatonin metabolite, 6-sulphatoxymelatonin, was evaluated in 20
cluster period cluster headache patients. Thirteen were retested 12 months
later, in the same period of the year, during remission. Fourteen age- and
sex-matched healthy subjects were the controls. As expected, significantly
higher levels of 6-sulphatoxymelatonin were present in nocturnal urine than
in day-time urine in controls, while in both cluster headache groups
urinary levels of this metabolite did not differ between day and night.
Nocturnal levels of 6-sulphatoxymelatonin were significantly lower in both
cluster headache groups than controls. Day-time levels did not differ
significantly between the groups. Altered excretion of urinary
6-sulphatoxymelatonin even during remission indicates that at least some of
these anomalies are independent of the pain, and provides further evidence
of involvement of the hypothalamic rhythm regulating centers in cluster
headache.