Circadian Changes of the Hypothalamic Activity in Patients Suffering From Cluster Headache
- Conditions
- Cluster Headache
- Interventions
- Diagnostic Test: MRI examination
- Registration Number
- NCT04409977
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Zurich
- Brief Summary
Cluster headache attacks do not occur randomly throughout the day, but have a clear circadian rhythmicity. The aim of this study is to investigate circadian changes of the brain, the autonomic nervous system and pain processing systems.
- Detailed Description
Cluster headache attacks do not occur randomly throughout the day, but have a clear circadian rhythmicity. The aim of this study is to investigate circadian changes in the functional connectivity, spectroscopy, iron deposition and perfusion of the brain. In addition, we plan to investigate circadian changes in the pain threshold of the brain using quantitative sensory testing (QST). Finally, we will investigate changes in the autonomic nervous system measuring the pupillary response.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- UNKNOWN
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 60
- Diagnosis of cluster headache (CH) may enter the patient group, patients not suffering from CH may enter the control group.
- knowledge of the german language suffices to understand the information sheet and consent form
- having read, understood and signed the consent form
- Pregnancy
- contraindications for the MRI scan (particularly metal splinters, ferromagnetic devices and implants)
- claustrophobia
- obesity (MRI > 35 kg/m2)
- shift working (last night shift must date back more than one week)
- jet lag (last travel over more than two time zones must date back more than one week)
Study & Design
- Study Type
- OBSERVATIONAL
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Control group MRI examination Participants not suffering from cluster headache will be included in this group. Patient group MRI examination Patients suffering from cluster headache will be included in this group. When analysing the data, the investigators will distinguish those in the in-bout period from those in the out-bout period. People in this group may participate twice: once in the in-bout and once in the out-bout period.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Circadian rhythmicity of the functional connectivity of the brain Measurements will be made at noon and at 1 a.m. (+/- 2 hours); we will compare these measurements to identify changes. Changes from baseline in functional connectivity of the brain using whole-brain fMRI
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Circadian rhythmicity of the autonomic system Measurements will be made at noon and at 1 a.m. (+/- 2 hours); we will compare these measurements to identify changes. Changes from baseline in the pupillary response (measured using pupillometry)
Circadian changes in the perfusion of the brain. Measurements will be made at noon and at 1 a.m. (+/- 2 hours); we will compare these measurements to identify changes. Changes from baseline in perfusion of the brain using Arterial Spin Labeled MRI Perfusion Imaging and vascular space occupancy sequences
Circadian rhythmicity of the spectroscopy of the hypothalamus Measurements will be made at noon and at 1 a.m. (+/- 2 hours); we will compare these measurements to identify changes. Changes from baseline in the iron concentration of the brain using quantitative susceptibility mapping
Circadian rhythmicity of the pain threshold Measurements will be made at noon and at 1 a.m. (+/- 2 hours); we will compare these measurements to identify changes. Changes from baseline of the pain threshold in the face using quantitative sensory testing (QST)
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University hospital Zurich
🇨ðŸ‡Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland