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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Fresh Research: Tyramine, Synephrine, and CH
        
(Message started by: floridian on May 26^th, 2004, 2:02pm)

Title: Fresh Research: Tyramine, Synephrine, and CH
Post by floridian on May 26^th, 2004, 2:02pm

It was suspected that tyramine, octopamine and synephrine are elevated in cluster headache, and now that's been confirmed. The three are adrenergic (adrenalin-like) neurotransmitters.

Tyramine is present in red wine, and it accounts for some of the extra punch that beverage packs. Synephrine is synthesized and packed into nasal spray ("NeoSynephrine").

Tyramine and synephrine probably contribute to the high blood pressure associated with attacks. Synephrine and octopamine are used as replacements for ephedra in thermogenic formulas for dieting, though their safety is questionable at best.

Not clear how much these contribute to the headache, or if some of them are elevated in response to pain, histamine, or other headache problems. Octopamine and tyramine have opposing action in some lab tests, so they may cancel each other out to a degree.

In terms of elevated levels of the 3 neurotransmitters, we beat out those wimipy migraneurs.

Quote:

Neurology. 2004 May 25;62(10):1701-1705.

Elevated levels of circulating trace amines in primary headaches.

D'Andrea G, Terrazzino S, Leon A, Fortin D, Perini F, Granella F, Bussone G.

BACKGROUND: Trace amines, including tyramine, octopamine, and synephrine, are closely related to classic biogenic amines. They have been hypothesized to promote migraines and other types of primary headaches, but there is no direct evidence supporting this hypothesis. METHODS: Using a multichannel electrochemical high-performance liquid chromatography system, the authors evaluated whether changes in circulating trace amines occur in subjects with migraine (with or without aura) during headache-free periods as well as in patients with cluster headache (CH) during the remission and active phases as compared with healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Plasma levels of all trace amines were significantly higher in CH patients, in both the remission and the active phases, when compared with control subjects or subjects with migraine. In addition, intraplatelet levels of octopamine, synephrine, and tyramine were higher in CH patients than in control subjects. In migraine patients, plasma levels of octopamine and synephrine were higher compared with controls, although in migraine with aura, the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas the elevation of plasma trace amine levels in both migraine and CH supports the hypothesis that disorders of biogenic amine metabolism may be a characteristic biochemical trait in primary headache sufferers, the observation that such alterations are more prominent in patients with CH than migraine patients suggests that they may reflect sympathetic or hypothalamic dysfunction.