RAISED PLASMA ARGININE-VASOPRESSIN CONCENTRATIONS DURING CLUSTER HEADACHE ATTACKS

To obtain data about peripheral concentrations of arginine vasopressin in head pain syndromes, the plasma arginine vasopressin secretory pat tern in 12 adult male patients with cluster headache was evaluated. Bl ood samples for plasma arginine vasopressin and osmolality determinati ons were collected before, and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes during a cluster attack. Blood pressure was also monitored. The same s ampling was repeated during an asymptomatic period. During cluster att acks, the mean values of plasma arginine vasopressin before an attack (2.3 (0.1) ng/l) significantly increased, reaching their peak at 45 mi nutes (4.8 (0.5) ng/l; P < 0.01 v baseline). No significant variations were found in mean arterial pressure and plasma osmolality. These dat a suggested involvement of neurotransmitter mechanisms regulating argi nine vasopressin secretion and a possible role of arginine vasopressin in vasomotor phenomena accompanying cluster attacks.