Mechanisms of tension-type headache

Despite tension-type headache represents one of the most frequent and costl y diseases in modem society only very little research on this disease has a ctually been carried out. In contrast to former belief tension-type headach e is a separate entity that can and should be separated from migraine. No s pecific biochemical abnormalities have yet been identified but a reliable h uman model of tension-type headache has been developed by means of infusion of a NO-donor, glyceryl trinitrate. Myofascial factors and, peripheral sen sitization of nociceptors play an important role in the episodic form, and central sensitization has been demonstrated in the chronic form. As chronic tension-type headache usually evolves from the episodic form, prevention a nd reversal of this central sensitization may be an important target for fu ture pathophysiological studies and drug development.