TRANSCRANIAL DOPPLER ULTRASOUND IN MIGRAINE AND TENSION-TYPE HEADACHEAFTER APOMORPHINE ADMINISTRATION - DOUBLE-BLIND CROSSOVER VERSUS PLACEBO STUDY

The effect of the dopaminergic agonist apomorphine on blood velocity i n the middle cerebral artery has been studied in patients with migrain e, tension-type headaches, and healthy subjects by means of transcrani al Doppler monitoring. Following the administration of apomorphine, sy stolic velocity and mean velocity significantly increased and pulsatil ity index significantly decreased in migraineurs compared to placebo a nd to the other groups of subjects. These changes were dose-dependent and showed a time-curve compatible with the pharmacokinetic profile of the drug. The different effect of apomorphine in migraineurs compared with controls and tension-type headache patients implies that migrain eurs have increased sensitivity to dopaminergic stimuli and suggests t hat transcranial Doppler monitoring after apomorphine administration c ould be a useful tool in the evaluation of migraineurs.