Abstract
Headache is connected with sleep quality, e.g. hypnic headache and chronic paroxysmal headache attacks occur preferentially during REM sleep; this is possibly also true for cluster headache and migraine. REM sleep is typically characterized by the occurrence of ponto-geniculo-occipital spikes (PGOs). These PGOs should be able to trigger cortical spreading depression (CSD), which, although often clinically silent, is assumed to be an essential element of a migraine attack and possibly also of other forms of headache. CSDs are considered a correlate of migraine aura. They could lead to the secondary activation of trigeminovascular afferences, which would then induce a headache. Interestingly, illnesses that are comorbid with migraine cause an increase in the amount of REM sleep; conversely, various drugs administered prophylactically for these illnesses reduce the quantity of REM sleep.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
