Migraine, Celiac Disease and Intestinal Microbiota

Microbiota-Pain Association; Recent Discoveries and Research Progress

The relationship between gut microbiota and pain, such as visceral pain, headaches (migraine), itching, prosthetic joint infection (PJI), chronic abdominal pain (CAP), joint pain, etc., has received increasing attention. Several parts of the evidence suggest that microbiota is one of the most important pain modulators and they can regulate pain in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Any alteration in microbiota by diet or antibiotics mediation may characterize a novel therapeutic strategy for pain management. The present study includes the most up-to-date and influential scientific findings on the association of microbiota with pain, despite the fact that the underlying mechanism is not identified in most cases. According to recent research, identifying the molecular mechanisms of the microbiota-pain pathway can have a unique perspective in treating many diseases, even though there is a long way to reach the ideal point. This study will stress the influence of microbiota on the common diseases that can stimulate the pain with a focus on underlying mechanisms.

Headache and immunological/autoimmune disorders: a comprehensive review of available epidemiological evidence with insights on potential underlying mechanisms

Several lines of evidence support a role of the immune system in headache pathogenesis, with particular regard to migraine. Firstly, alterations in cytokine profile and in lymphocyte subsets have been reported in headache patients. Secondly, several genetic and environmental pathogenic factors seem to be frequently shared by headache and immunological/autoimmune diseases. Accordingly, immunological alterations in primary headaches, in particular in migraine, have been suggested to predispose some patients to the development of immunological and autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, pathogenic mechanisms underlying autoimmune disorders, in some cases, seem to favour the onset of headache. Therefore, an association between headache and immunological/autoimmune disorders has been thoroughly investigated in the last years. The knowledge of this possible association may have relevant implications in the clinical practice when deciding diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The present review summarizes findings to date regarding the plausible relationship between headache and immunological/autoimmune disorders, starting from a description of immunological alteration of primary headaches, and moving onward to the evidence supporting a potential link between headache and each specific autoimmune/immunological disease.

Effects of Diet Based on IgG Elimination Combined with Probiotics on Migraine Plus Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Several research studies have revealed that migraine has a solid link with gastrointestinal diseases especially irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study was carried out to investigate therapeutic potential of diet based on IgG elimination combined with probiotics on migraine plus irritable bowel syndrome. A total of 60 patients diagnosed with migraine plus IBS were recruited for the study. IgG antibodies against 266 food varieties were detected by ELISA. Then, the subjects were randomized into three groups for treatment of IgG elimination diet or probiotics or diet combined with probiotics. Migraine symptom, gut function score, medication use, and serum serotonin level were measured at baseline, 7 weeks, and 14 weeks. Improvement of migraine and gut symptom was achieved at a certain time point. Reduced use of over-the-counter- (OTC-) analgesics was seen in all groups. However, use of triptans did not show significant difference. An increased serum serotonin level was seen in subjects treated with elimination diet and elimination diet combined with probiotics. IgG elimination diet combined with probiotics may be beneficial to migraine plus IBS. It may provide new insight by understanding the intricate relationship between migraine and gastrointestinal diseases.

Pediatric Neurology Briefs: Year in Review

In 2018, the mission of Pediatric Neurology Briefs (PNB) remains the same: "PNB is a continuing education service designed to expedite and facilitate the review of current scientific research and advances in child neurology and related subjects."