Posted by Bob P (129.65.106.92) on November 22, 1999 at 12:41:35:
In Reply to: Ok, but how do you explain.... posted by Margi on November 22, 1999 at 11:26:32:
I don't think there is a CH/addiction link. Just two different things that are affected by serotonin levels. Remember there are a lot of different 5-HT receptor sites. 5-HT is implicated in acid reflux, depression, obsessive/compulsive disorder, mood swings, CH. A whole bunch of stuff.
Melotonin comes from 5-HT. Tests show that in normal people, the hypothalamus (body clock) tells the brain to release it's melotonin when it's time to go sleep. They get a rise and fall in their melotonin levels duing a normal 24 hr. period. In CHers, this doesn't happen. The melotonin is constantly low (which could mean the brain 5-HT is also low). At night the brain doesn't dump it's melotonin load to make us go to sleep. It just stays consistantly low. The 5-HT levels, the lack of melotonin fluctuation, the clock work schedule of the HAs all point toward the hypothalamus. Throw in Goadsby's excess grey matter and scans showing activation of the hypo when he induces a HA sure makes me focus on the hypo.
As far as addiction goes. I think there are a whole lot of other things involved in that. 5-HT just may be able to treat some of the other underlying factors. Like I said, my dad is a recovering alcoholic and I've never seen him have a headache of any kind.
We'll just keep picking up little tidbits here and there and maybe some day all the pieces will fall together.
LYG
Bob P