Autonomic dysfunction in patients with episodic cluster headache during remission period

[Craigo]

Hi all. Here's an interesting new preprint  "Autonomic dysfunction in patients with episodic cluster headache during remission period". This study looked into the autonomic nervous system in an episodic cluster headache cohort during their pain-free remission periods. 

They found a significant decrease in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in CH patients compared to controls, this lower HRV  suggesting a sympathetic predominance / reduced parasympathetic activity.

CH patients also had a higher mean heart rate and significantly higher plasma norepinephrine levels both when lying down and standing which indicates increased sympathetic activity.

This study suggests an ANS imbalance in CH  even during remission pointing to a decrease in parasympathetic activity and sympathetic hyperactivity. They call for more research. 

This also makes me consider the value of, I believe the term is non invasive vagus nerve stimulators via devices like the Gammacore and others like the Pulsetto. The latter being fairly affordable although requires a level of consistent daily use to see the benefit it promotes, one of which was an increase in HRV. Full disclosure, I have a Pulsetto but being in remission and busy I don’t use it frequently enough to offer any meaningful feedback other than to say the sensation is funky at first but you get used to it. 

You can find the full preprint here: 

https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-6871540/v1

[snafu]

can't say i fit that bill hrv is on average 65-70ms and my rhr is 40-45 bpm. also hrv and rhr varies greatly from person to person, so not sure how this can serve as a paramterer for comparison