Chronic tension-type headache tied to cognitive impairment

(HealthDay)—Patients with chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) have impairments in cognitive ability and dysfunction in the neuroendocrine state, according to a study published online March 24 in Pain Practice.

Ping Qu, from the Anhui Medical University in Hefei, China, and colleagues evaluated cognitive impairment in patients with CTTH and healthy controls. Additionally, hormonal changes in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone were assessed.

The researchers found that significant cognitive impairment and neuroendocrine dysfunction were present in the CTTH patients, compared to the healthy controls. Changes in neuroendocrine hormones were seemingly involved in symptoms of CTTH.

"Intervention with the neuroendocrine state may be a strategy for CTTH treatment," the authors write.