Expression of miR-155 in monocytes of people with migraine: association with phenotype, disease severity and inflammatory profile.

Background: miR-155 is involved in the generation and maintenance of inflammation and pain, endothelial function and immune system homeostasis, all functions that are relevant for migraine. The present study aims to assess the levels of miR-155 in migraine subtypes (episodic and chronic) in comparison to age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, controlled, study involving three study groups: I) episodic migraine (n = 52, EM), II) chronic migraine with medication overuse (n = 44, CM-MO), and III) healthy controls (n = 32, HCs).

Lack of association between TRPV1 gene polymorphisms and risk of migraine chronification: a case-control study and meta-analysis.

Objective: To confirm a previously reported association of TRPV1 rs8065080 with the risk of transformation from episodic (EM) to chronic migraine (CM) and to extend knowledge about the role of other TRPV1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we first investigated the impact of three TRPV1 SNPs (rs8065080, rs222747 and rs222749) on the risk of migraine chronification in a case-control study. A systematic review and meta-analysis were then conducted to summarize the accumulated findings.

Methods: Genotyping of the selected TRPV1 SNPs was performed using TaqMan real-time PCR in 167 EM and 182 CM participants.

The complexity of cortical folding is reduced in chronic cocaine users.

Cocaine use is a worldwide health problem with psychiatric, somatic and socioeconomic complications, being the second most widely used illicit drug in the world. Despite several structural neuroimaging studies, the alterations in cortical morphology associated with cocaine use and addiction are still poorly understood. In this study, we compared the complexity of cortical folding (CCF), a measure that aims to summarize the convoluted structure of the cortex between patients with cocaine addiction (n = 52) and controls (n = 36), and correlated it with characteristics of addiction and impulsivity.

The Virtual "Enfacement Illusion" on Pain Perception in Patients Suffering from Chronic Migraine: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: given the limited efficacy, tolerability, and accessibility of pharmacological treatments for chronic migraine (CM), new complementary strategies have gained increasing attention. Body ownership illusions have been proposed as a non-pharmacological strategy for pain relief. Here, we illustrate the protocol for evaluating the efficacy in decreasing pain perception of the enfacement illusion of a happy face observed through an immersive virtual reality (VR) system in CM.

HaNDL syndrome: a reversible cerebral vasoconstriction triggered by an infection? A case report and a case-based review.

Background: The syndrome of transient Headache and Neurological Deficits with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Lymphocytosis (HaNDL) is classified among secondary headaches attributed to "non-infectious, inflammatory intracranial disease". Despite its classification among secondary headaches, the current definition of HaNDL does not contemplate a causal agent. Thus, the aetiology, as well as the pathogenesis of both the headache and the transient focal deficits, remains unknown.

Does MIDAS reduction at 3 months predict the outcome of erenumab treatment? A real-world, open-label trial.

Background: In Italy, monoclonal antibodies targeting the CGRP pathway are subsidized for the preventive treatment of high frequency and chronic migraine (CM) in patients with a MIgraine Disability ASsessment (MIDAS) score ≥ 11. Eligibility to treatment continuation requires a ≥ 50% MIDAS score reduction at three months (T3). In this study, we evaluate whether a ≥ 50% MIDAS score reduction at T3 is a reliable predictor of response to one-year erenumab treatment.

Brain gyrification in bipolar disorder: a systematic review of neuroimaging studies.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness with a strong genetic component. Genetic variations have been involved in the risk of this disorder, including those mediating brain function and neurodevelopment. Early neurodevelopment and neuroprogression processes could be reflected in brain gyrification patterns and help optimize the prediction and diagnosis of such disorders that is often delayed.

Facial expressions modulate pain perception in patients with chronic migraine.

Aim: First, we investigated whether the exposure to different visual feedback conditions may modulate pain perception by means of visual induced analgesia in patients with chronic migraine. Second, to comprehend the way emotional face expressions could induce visual analgesia, we evaluated the degree of identification with the four experimental conditions.

Methods: In a 1 × 4 within-subject study design, 38 female chronic migraine patients were exposed to different visual stimuli - positive face, neutral face, negative face, and control (white screen) - during a migraine attack.

Psychological predictors of negative treatment outcome with Erenumab in chronic migraine: data from an open label long-term prospective study.

Background: Monoclonal antibodies (mABs) targeting the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway represent the first disease-specific preventive migraine therapy. Growing evidence suggests that they are effective in the preventive treatment of difficult-to-treat patients. In this study, we evaluated the psychological predictors of the outcome of treatment with the anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody erenumab in patients with chronic migraine (CM).

Twenty-four-hour blood pressure profile in idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder.

Study Objectives: To determine whether autonomic dysfunction in idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) affects circadian blood pressure (BP) profile.

Methods: Twenty-one iRBD (mean age 68.8 ± 6.

BoNT-A efficacy in high frequency migraine: an open label, single arm, exploratory study applying the PREEMPT paradigm.

Introduction: In this open label, single-arm trial we evaluated the efficacy of onabotulinum toxin-A in the prevention of high-frequency episodic migraine (8-14 migraine days/month).

Methods: We enrolled 32 high-frequency episodic migraine subjects (age 44.8 ± 11.

Effect of Evening Bromazepam Administration on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Mild Hypertensive Patients.

Aim: To assess the effects of chronic evening oral administration of bromazepam alone or in combination with propranolol on ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in mild hypertensive subjects.

Methods: Thirty-seven mild hypertensive patients after a 2-week placebo period were randomized to bromazepam 3 mg, propranolol 40 mg, bromazepam 3 mg plus propranolol 40 mg or placebo for 2 weeks according to a double-blind, double dummy, cross-over design. After each treatment period, 24-h BP and HR ambulatory monitoring was performed by using a non-invasive device.

Diazepam as an oral hypnotic increases nocturnal blood pressure in the elderly.

Background: No study has evaluated the cardiovascular effects of diazepam in elderly subjects that assume diazepam to induce sleep.

Purpose: The present study was carried out in order to evaluate the effects of chronic administration of diazepam as hypnotic drug on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in healthy elderly subjects.

Patients And Methods: Healthy, elderly subjects, aged 65-74 years, were treated with diazepam 5 mg or placebo-both administered once a day in the evening-for 4 weeks in two cross-over periods, each separated by a 2-week placebo period, according to a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design.

Effect of flunitrazepam as an oral hypnotic on 24-hour blood pressure in healthy volunteers.

Purpose: The present study was carried out in order to assess the effects of chronic administration of flunitrazepam (as an oral hypnotic) on 24-h blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in healthy young adults.

Materials And Methods: Following a 2-week placebo run-in period, 28 healthy volunteers (13 males and 15 females) between 21 and 30 years were randomized to receive either flunitrazepam 1 mg or placebo (both administered once a day in the evening) for 4 weeks in two cross-over periods; each separated by a 2-week placebo period. At the end of each study period, non-invasive 24-h BP and HR ambulatory monitoring was performed.

Factors associated to chronic migraine with medication overuse: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aim: Factors implicated in the evolution of episodic migraine into chronic migraine are largely elusive. Medication overuse is considered to be one of the main determinants, but other possible clinical and psychological factors can play a role. The aim of this study is to identify factors that are associated with chronic migraine with medication overuse.

Effect of Diazepam on 24-Hour Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Healthy Young Volunteers.

Aim: To assess the effects of evening chronic administration of diazepam on 24-h blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in healthy young adults.

Methods: This randomized double blind, cross-over study evaluated the effects of diazepam 5 mg or placebo, both ingested in the evening, on 24-h ambulatory BP and HR in healthy subjects aged 21-30.

Results: A total of 30 subjects were included in the analysis.

Effect of ramipril/hydrochlorothiazide and ramipril/canrenone combination on atrial fibrillation recurrence in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients with and without cardiac autonomic neuropathy.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of ramipril/canrenone versus ramipril/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) combination on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in type 2 diabetic hypertensives with and without cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN).

Material And Methods: A total of 289 hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients, 95 with CAN, in sinus rhythm but with at least two episodes of AF in the previous 6 months were randomized to ramipril 5 mg plus canrenone 50 mg (titrated to 10/100 mg) or to ramipril 5 mg plus HCTZ 12.5 mg (titrated to 10/25 mg) or to amlodipine 5 mg (titrated to 10 mg) for 1 year.