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.
治疗紧张型头痛的方法是,与头痛有关的疼痛神经元传递相互作用,防止或减少二阶痛觉神经元的敏化。具体来说,治疗方法是通过施用有效量的物质来防止或减少中枢敏化。这类物质的重要例子是与谷
氨酸神经递质相互作用的物质,如谷
氨酸受体拮抗剂,如N
MDA受体拮抗剂,如MK-801或
阿米替林或
丙咪嗪或地西普胺或
米氮平或
文拉法辛。其他例子包括与
一氧化氮相互作用的物质,如
一氧化氮合酶(NOS)
抑制剂,如L-N
MMA或L-N
AME或L-NIO或L-NNA。根据本发明更广泛的一个方面,治疗紧张型头痛的方法是施用能有效预防或减轻紧张型头痛相关疼痛的物质,如上述物质。本发明的另一个方面涉及通过施用实质上抑制
一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活性的物质,如NOS
抑制剂,如L-N
MMA或L-N
AME或L-NIO或L-NNA,来治疗紧张型头痛。