| abstract |
Tension-type headache is treated by interacting with neuronal transmission in relation to pain in connection with headache in a way which prevents or decreases sensitization of second order nociceptive neurons. In particular, treatment is performed by administration of an effective amount of a substance which prevents or decreases central sensitization. Important examples of such substances are substances which interact with glutamate neurotransmission, such as glutamate receptor antagonists, such as NMDA receptor antagonists, such as MK-801 or Amitriptylline or Imipramine or Desipramine or Mirtazaprine or Venlafaxine. Other examples are substances which interact with nitric oxide, such as nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, such as L-NMMA or L-NAME or L-NIO or L-NNA. According to a broader aspect of the invention tension-type headache is treated by administration of substances which are effective in preventing or decreasing pain in connection with tension-type headache, such as the substances mentioned above. An additional aspect of the invention relates to treatment of tension-type headache by administration of substances which substantially inhibit the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), such as NOS inhibitors, such as L-NMMA or L-NAME or L-NIO or L-NNA. |