Posted by Bennie Sue (63.16.4.109) on January 19, 2001 at 19:28:32:
In Reply to: Old - New Twist posted by Miguel on January 19, 2001 at 15:47:10:
Could this tie in in any way
with the research that shows very
high levels of CGRP and other
neurotransmitters present in the
bloodstream during a CH attack?
I do not mean necessarily the fact
that the chemicals were found in the
bloodstream per se, but the fact that
excess neurotransmitters had been
released in some way. What caused the
extra neurotransmitters to be present?
The test (as best I recall) was like this:
About a dozen patients were tested. A CH
attack was induced via nitroglycerin, blood
was drawn from the carotid artery, and very,
very high levels of neurotransmitters were
found. But they do not explain how the
excess chemicals in the vessels are
actually related to the pain. The groups
were given oxygen, Imitrex or an
opiate painkiller to abort the attack.
Oxygen and Imitrex caused the neuro-
transmitter levels in the bloodstream
to return to normal. The opiate did
not have any effect on the levels.
There was also an elevation of another
chemical which they said could account for
the Hoerner's syndrome, but it was not as
extreme. (Sorry, it was something like VIP.)