[Diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic insults]

In cases of stroke a distinction is made between a transient ischemic attack (TIA), a manifest ischemic infarction and cerebral hemorrhage. Cerebral ischemia can be caused by large vessel disease, small vessel disease, embolic causes, rare causes or stroke of unknown etiology. Acute diagnostic tests include a neurological examination, computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with angiography, electrocardiography (ECG), and laboratory tests. The basic treatment of patients with TIA or acute ischemic infarction is performed in the stroke unit and includes monitoring of respiratory function, cardiac function, treatment of potential heart failure, detection of swallowing disorders, prophylaxis of thromboembolism, control of blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels, and lowering of elevated body temperature. In patients with cardioembolic infarction, oral anticoagulation is initiated depending on the severity of the stroke and the size of the stroke on imaging.

Safety profile of a special butterbur extract from Petasites hybridus in migraine prevention with emphasis on the liver

Background:

Butterbur supplements are available in the USA and Canada and are commonly used for treating migraines. Petadolex, a special butterbur extract from Petasites hybridus, is a natural herbal product and the only butterbur extract with proven clinical efficacy in migraine prevention. The Complimentary Migraine Guidelines of the AAN mention butterbur as level A recommendation for the prevention of chronic episodic migraine. However, these guidelines have been retired.

Methods:

We review suspected serious liver cases, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, regulatory issues, preclinical and clinical data of the special butterbur extract Petadolex.

Results:

The RUCAM (Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method) test found no probable relationship between the butterbur root extract Petadolex® and cases of serious liver injury. Two cases of non-serious reversible liver enzyme elevations were rated as probably related to Petadolex®. The safety is supported by preclinical data in animals as well as in-vitro toxicology experiments. In addition, Petadolexis free of detectable levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Conclusion:

There is no evidence that the special butterbur root extract Petadolex poses a substantial risk of liver injury for patients.

Lower Cervical Disc Prolapse May Cause Cervicogenic Headache: Prospective Study in Patients Undergoing Surgery

In 1983 Sjaastad published for the first time diagnostic criteria for cervicogenic headache. Until now there have been no prospective studies investigating whether cervical disc prolapse can cause cervicogenic headache. Between July 2002 and July 2003 50 patients with cervical disc prolapse proven by computed tomography, myelography or magnetic resonance imaging were recruited and prospectively followed for 3 months. Patients were asked at different time points about headache and neck pain by questionnaires and structured interviews. These data were collected prior to and 7 and 90 days after surgery for the disc prolapse. Fifty patients with lumbar disc prolapse, matched for age and sex, undergoing surgery were recruited as controls. Headache and neck pain was diagnosed according to International Headache Society (IHS) criteria. Twelve of 50 patients with cervical disc prolapse reported new headache and neck pain. Seven patients (58%) fulfilled the 2004 IHS criteria for cervicogenic headache. Two of 50 patients with lumbar disc prolapse had new headaches. Their headaches did not fulfil the criteria for cervicogenic headache. One week after surgery, 8/12 patients with cervical disc prolapse and headache reported to be pain free. One patient was improved and three were unchanged. Three months after cervical prolapse surgery, seven patients were pain free, three improved and two unchanged. This prospective study shows an association of low cervical prolapse with cervicogenic headache: headache and neck pain improves or disappears in 80% of patients after surgery for the cervical disc prolapse. These results indicate that pain afferents from the lower cervical roots can converge on the cervical trigeminal nucleus and the nucleus caudalis.

Prevalence of Cluster Headache in a Population-Based Sample in Germany

A population-based sample of 6000 inhabitants of the city of Essen in Germany was screened using a standard questionnaire for possible cluster headache (CH). Fifty-six percent responded ( N = 3336, 50.5% of them women, mean age 44.7 ± 12.7 years). All suspected cases ( N = 182) were interviewed by a neurologist. Four subjects with CH (three men) were identified. The 1-year prevalence of CH was estimated to be 119/100 000 (95% confidence interval 3, 238/100 000).

Thrombolysis and thrombectomy in patients treated with dabigatran with acute ischemic stroke: Expert opinion

Systemic thrombolysis with rt-PA is contraindicated in patients with acute ischemic stroke anticoagulated with dabigatran. This expert opinion provides guidance on the use of the specific reversal agent idarucizumab followed by rt-PA and/or thrombectomy in patients with ischemic stroke pre-treated with dabigatran. The use of idarucizumab followed by rt-PA is covered by the label of both drugs.

Placebo-Controlled Comparison of Effervescent Acetylsalicylic Acid, Sumatriptan and Ibuprofen in the Treatment of Migraine Attacks

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in combination with metoclopramide has been frequently used in clinical trials in the acute treatment of migraine attacks. Recently the efficacy of a new high buffered formulation of 1000 mg effervescent ASA without metoclopramide compared to placebo has been shown. To further confirm the efficacy of this new formulation in comparison with a triptan and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (ibuprofen) a three-fold crossover, double-blind, randomized trial with 312 patients was conducted in Germany, Italy and Spain. Effervescent ASA (1000 mg) was compared to encapsulated sumatriptan (50 mg), ibuprofen (400 mg) and placebo. The percentage of patients with reduction in headache severity from moderate or severe to mild or no pain (primary endpoint) was 52.5% for ASA, 60.2% for ibuprofen, 55.8% for sumatriptan and 30.6% for placebo. All active treatments were superior to placebo ( P < 0.0001), whereas active treatments were not statistically different. The number of patients who were pain-free at 2 h was 27.1%, 33.2%, 37.1% and 12.6% for those treated with ASA, ibuprofen, sumatriptan or placebo, respectively. The difference between ASA and sumatriptan was statistically significant ( P = 0.025). With respect to other secondary efficacy criteria and accompanying symptoms no statistically significant differences between ASA and ibuprofen or sumatriptan were found. Drug-related adverse events were reported in 4.1%, 5.7%, 6.6% and 4.5% of patients treated with ASA, ibuprofen sumatriptan or placebo. This study showed that 1000 mg effervescent ASA is as effective as 50 mg sumatriptan and 400 mg ibuprofen in the treatment of migraine attacks regarding headache relief from moderate/severe to mild/no pain at 2 h. Regarding pain-free at 2 h sumatriptan was most effective.

One-Year Prevalence and Socio-Cultural Aspects of Chronic Headache in Turkish Immigrants and German Natives

The aim of this research was to study the prevalence of chronic headache (CH) and associated socio-cultural factors in Turkish immigrants and native Germans. Five hundred and twenty-three Turkish and German company employees were screened using a standard questionnaire. Those who suffered from headaches were also examined by a neurologist. Complete data were available for 471 (90%) subjects. Thirty-four participants (7.2%) had CH. Two independent factors for association with CH could be identified: overuse of acute headache medication (OR = 72.5; 95% CI 25.9-202.9), and being a first-generation Turkish immigrant compared with native Germans (OR = 4.4; 95% CI 1.4-13.7). In contrast, the factor associated with chronic headache was not increased in second-generation Turkish immigrants. Medication overuse was significantly more frequent in first-generation Turkish immigrants (21.6%) compared with second-generation Turkish immigrants (3.3%) and native Germans (3.6%; X2 = 38.0, P < 0.001). First-generation Turkish immigrants did not contact headache specialists at all, compared with 2.8% of second-generation Turkish immigrants and 8.8% of native Germans ( X2 = 118.4, P < 0.001). Likewise no first-generation Turkish immigrant suffering from CH received headache preventive treatment, compared with 6.6% of native Germans ( X2 = 19.1, P = 0.014). The data from this cross-sectional study reveal a high prevalence of chronic headache as well as a very low utilization of adequate medical care in first-generation Turkish immigrants in Germany.

The Fixed Combination of Acetylsalicylic acid, Paracetamol and Caffeine is more Effective than Single Substances and Dual Combination for the Treatment of Headache: a Multicentre, Randomized, Double-Blind, Single-Dose, Placebo-Controlled Parallel Group Study

We investigated efficacy, safety, and tolerability of two tablets of the fixed combination of 250 mg acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) + 200 mg paracetamol + 50 mg caffeine (Thomapyrin®) in comparison with two tablets of 250 mg ASA + 200 mg paracetamol, two tablets of 500 mg ASA, two tablets of 500 mg paracetamol, two tablets of 50 mg caffeine, and placebo in patients who were used to treating their episodic tension-type headache or migraine attacks with non-prescription analgesics. For the primary endpoint ‘time to 50% pain relief’ in the intention-to-treat dataset ( n = 1743 patients), the fixed combination of ASA, paracetamol and caffeine was statistically significantly superior to the combination without caffeine ( P = 0.0181), the mono-substances ASA ( P = 0.0398), paracetamol ( P = 0.0016), caffeine ( P < 0.0001) and placebo ( P < 0.0001). All active treatments except caffeine differed significantly ( P < 0.0001) from placebo. The superior efficacy of the triple combination could also be shown for all secondary endpoints such as time until reduction of pain intensity to 10 mm, weighted sum of pain intensity difference (%SPIDweighted), extent of impairment of daily activities, global assessment of efficacy. All treatments were well tolerated. The incidence of adverse events observed was low.

European Headache Federation consensus on technical investigation for primary headache disorders

The diagnosis of primary headache disorders is clinical and based on the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society (ICHD-3-beta). However several brain conditions may mimic primary headache disorders and laboratory investigation may be needed. This necessity occurs when the treating physician doubts for the primary origin of headache. Features that represent a warning for a possible underlying disorder causing the headache are new onset headache, change in previously stable headache pattern, headache that abruptly reaches the peak level, headache that changes with posture, headache awakening the patient, or precipitated by physical activity or Valsalva manoeuvre, first onset of headache ≥50 years of age, neurological symptoms or signs, trauma, fever, seizures, history of malignancy, history of HIV or active infections, and prior history of stroke or intracranial bleeding. All national headache societies and the European Headache Alliance invited to review and comment the consensus before the final draft. The consensus recommends brain MRI for the case of migraine with aura that persists on one side or in brainstem aura. Persistent aura without infarction and migrainous infarction require brain MRI, MRA and MRV. Brain MRI with detailed study of the pituitary area and cavernous sinus, is recommended for all TACs. For primary cough headache, exercise headache, headache associated with sexual activity, thunderclap headache and hypnic headache apart from brain MRI additional tests may be required. Because there is little and no good evidence the committee constructed a consensus based on the opinion of experts, and should be treated as imperfect.

[New aspects of stroke medicine]

Systemic thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) remains the only effective and approved medical treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Several studies have demonstrated the importance of rapid recanalization. The efficacy of thrombectomy has so far not been sufficiently shown in randomized clinical trials; therefore, inclusion of suitable patients in one of the currently ongoing randomized trials is of great importance. The early treatment with magnesium after acute ischemic stroke during the pre-hospital phase did not prove to be neuroprotective. Intermittent pneumatic compression of the lower extremities in immobilized stroke patients effectively prevents deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. In patients with lacunar stroke the combination of aspirin and clopidogrel is not superior to aspirin alone and causes more bleeding complications. The novel oral anticoagulants are superior to warfarin in secondary prevention and carry a lower risk of intracranial and systemic bleeding complications. New studies will investigate whether dabigatran or rivaroxaban are superior to aspirin in secondary prevention after cryptogenic stroke.

Impaired velocity perception in patients with lesions of the cerebellum

In three psychophysical experiments, cerebellar patients were impaired in making perceptual judgments of the velocity of moving stimuli. Performance was normal when the judgment concerned the position of the stimuli (Experiment 1). The dissociation between the velocity and position tasks suggests the cerebellar group was selectively impaired in velocity perception. EOG data were obtained in Experiments 2 and 3 to assess whether the deficit was oculomotor in origin. Perceptual errors were not correlated with the occurrence of intrusive eye movements. These results provide a novel demonstration of the role of the cerebellum in perceptual functions that require precise timing.

[Diagnostic and treatment of acute ischemic stroke]

The incidence of first stroke in Germany is about 200.000, most of which are ischemic. The benefit of stroke unit treatment and systemic thrombolysis has been shown in large randomized trials. Diagnostic work-up besides neurologic examination includes cerebral imaging by CT or MR imaging including angiography, ultrasound of brain supplying arteries, ECG and Holter ECG and - if indicated - transesophageal echocardiography. Aspirin is the cornerstone of early secondary prevention in the acute phase, thereafter secondary prevention is determined by stroke etiology. Carotid endarterectomy or stent-assisted angioplasty are indicated in patients with hemodynamic or arterio-arterial stroke etiologies due to high-grade carotid stenosis. For cardioembolism due to atrial fibrillation, oral anticoagulation with vitamin K-antagonists or new oral anticoagulants should be started after the acute phase. In patients with non-cardioembolic stroke etiologies, platelet inhibitors are used for secondary prevention.

Does the cognitive measure Cog-4 show improvement among patients treated with thrombolysis after acute stroke?

BACKGROUND

Although the established measure of disability post stroke, the modified Rankin Scale emphasizes motor function and may underestimate the importance of cognitive impairment in more disabled patients. A subset of four items from the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale has been proposed to assess cognitive function after stroke (Cog-4), and to correlate with modified Rankin Scale. Items correspond to orientation, executive function, language, and inattention. We investigated responsiveness of Cog-4 to treatment with thrombolysis and whether it offers information that supplements modified Rankin Scale.

METHODS

We included 6268 patients from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive: 2734 received intravenous thrombolysis and 3534 were treated conservatively. We compared day 90 outcomes between treated and untreated groups, by modified Rankin Scale (illustrative) and by Cog-4 (primary measure) adjusting for age, baseline National Institutes of Health stroke scale, hemispheric lateralisation as well as baseline Cog-4 and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale excluding baseline Cog-4 separately. Analysis of Cog-4 was repeated within strata of 90 day modified Rankin Scale. Statistical analyses included proportional odds logistic regression and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test.

RESULTS

Modified Rankin Scale showed a difference between treatment groups of expected magnitude (odds ratio 1·56; 95% confidence interval 1·43-1·72; P < 0·001). After adjustment for imbalance in baseline prognostic factors, the distribution of Cog-4 scores at 90 days was better in thrombolysed patients compared with nonthrombolysed patients (odds ratio 1·31; 95% confidence interval 1·18-1·47; P = 0·006). However, Cog-4 analysis stratified by 90-day modified Rankin Scale was neutral between treatment groups (OR 1·01; 95% CI 0·90-1·14), and Cog-4 was not responsive to treatment group even within modified Rankin Scale categories 4 and 5 despite substantial cognitive deficits in these patients.

CONCLUSION

Although Cog-4 may be responsive to treatment effects, it does not provide additional information beyond modified Rankin Scale assessment.

[Neurostimulation for treatment of headaches]

Only a small portion of patients with primary headaches are refractory to treatment concerning relief of headache episodes and prophylactic therapy of headaches. New methods of central and peripheral neurostimulation have been developed for these patients during the last few years and experience was mostly gained in small case series. The following overview gives a description of new stimulation methods, such as deep brain stimulation, occipital nerve stimulation, vagal nerve stimulation, neurostimulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion and transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Differences in clinical characteristics and frequency of accompanying migraine features in episodic and chronic cluster headache

Introduction: Data on clinical differences between episodic (eCH) and chronic cluster headache (cCH) and accompanying migraine features are limited.

Methods: History and clinical features of 209 consecutive cluster headache patients (144 eCH, 65 cCH; male:female ratio 3.4 : 1) were obtained in a tertiary headache centre by face-to-face interviews. Relationship between occurrence of accompanying symptoms, pain intensity, comorbid migraine, and circannual and circadian rhythmicity was analysed.

Results: 99.5% of patients reported a minimum of one ipsilateral cranial autonomic symptom (CAS); 80% showed at least three CAS. A seasonal rhythmicity was observed in both eCH and cCH. A comorbid headache disorder occurred in 25%. No significant difference was detected between patients with comorbid migraine and without regarding occurrence of phonophobia, photophobia or nausea during cluster attacks. Patients with comorbid migraine reported allodynia significantly ( p = 0.022) more often during cluster attacks than patients without comorbid migraine.

Conclusion: Occurrence of CAS and attack frequency, as well as periodic patterns of attacks, are relatively uniform in eCH and cCH. Multiple CAS are not related to pain intensity. Allodynia during cluster attacks is a frequent symptom. The unexpectedly high rate of accompanying migrainous features during cluster attacks cannot be explained by comorbid migraine.