Tension-type headache: an update on mechanisms and treatment

Tension-type headache represents one of the most costly diseases in modern society because of its very high prevalence. Very little research on this d isease has actually been carried out, and knowledge about key pathophysiolo gical issues such as the nature and site of the noxious stimulus is surpris ingly limited. As a result of this and the lack of scientific interest from the medical field, treatment is widely non-specific, very often ineffectiv e and consists mainly of simple analgesics. The only new strategy is the pe ricranial injection of botulinum toxin. If current progress in our understa nding of the mechanisms of tension-type headache continues, this may lead t o greater scientific interest and the development of more specific and more effective drugs in the future. Curr Opin Neurol 13:285-239 (C) 2000 Lippin cott Williams & Wilkins.