To provide a summary of knowledge about the use of melatonin in the treatment of primary headache disorders.
Headache is
associated with a number of disorders and has affected a large number of people
around the world, including all age groups and genders. A number of studies
revolves around the fact that headaches and migraine are connected to melatonin
secretion. The main concern of this article was to explore the effectiveness of
the melatonin for different headache disorders.
To provide a
summary of knowledge about the use of melatonin in the treatment of primary
headache disorders. Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland; its production
is regulated by the hypothalamus and increases during periods of darkness.
We undertook a
narrative review of the literature on the role of melatonin in the treatment of
primary headache disorders.
There are
randomized placebo-controlled trials examining melatonin for preventive
treatment of migraine and cluster headache. For cluster headache, melatonin 10
mg was superior to placebo. For migraine, a randomized placebo-controlled trial
of melatonin 3 mg (immediate release) was positive, though an underpowered
trial of melatonin 2 mg (sustained release) was negative. Uncontrolled studies,
case series, and case reports cover melatonin's role in treating tension-type
headache, hypnic headache, hemicrania continua, SUNCT/SUNA and primary stabbing
headache.
Melatonin may be
effective in treating several primary headache disorders, particularly cluster
headache and migraine. Future research should focus on elucidating the
underlying mechanisms of benefit of melatonin in different headache disorders,
as well as clarifying optimal dosing and formulation.
Headache
The Role of Melatonin in the Treatment of Primary Headache Disorders
Amy A. Gelfand, Peter J. Goadsby
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