Authors' recommendations: Headaches affect approximately 50% of the adult population, with migraines affecting up to 25% of adults. The International Headache Society (IHS) classifies primary headaches under 4 main categories: migraine, tension-type headache, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) (including cluster headache [also referred to as sphenopalatine neuralgia]), and other primary headache disorders. There are various treatments, which are given depending on the type and severity of the pain. Standard treatments include modification of headache triggers, and oral medications as well as spinal manipulation, and injected nerve blocks, deep brain stimulation, and occipital nerve stimulation. The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) is a neural structure that lies within the pterygopalatine fossa, which is located behind the middle turbinate above the jaw but below the maxillary nerve. The SPG is the largest ganglion associated with the trigeminal nerve. It has been suggested that parasympathetic signals coming from the SPG may induce autonomic symptoms, which, in turn, activate trigeminovascular sensory nerves, all leading to the onset of a headache. Electrical SPG stimulation, at the proper frequency, may block these outgoing neurological signals from the SPG creating both an electrical and neurochemical interruption in the neurological mechanism of headaches.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2014

URL for published report: The report may be purchased from: http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=16442

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

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Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: 2014 Winifred S. Hayes, Inc