The Diameter of the Middle Cerebral Artery Measured With Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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To examine the ability of MRA to measure the effect of GTN on the intra-cranial vascular response during the GTN-induced headache in healthy volunteers.

Detailed Description
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The only intra cranial structures innervated by sensory nerves, and therefore a possible source of the headpain are the meninges and the large intracerebral arteries. The dilatation of the cerebral vessels may not be the origin of the head pain per se, but measurements of the intra cerebral vascular bed in the past has proven valuable in the migraine-research, and has helped elucidate the basis for the migraine aura (Olesen, Friberg et al. 1990). The effects of different signal molecules on the intra cerebral vasculature continue to be an important field in the migraine research, in the search for possible pain causing signaling molecules. Therefore we have set up at study to examine if MR-Angiography (MRA) can be used for monitoring of the vascular response after challenge with the known vasodilator GTN. This drug was chosen because it is well characterized and a large body of evidence from earlier studies could serve as background data (Thomsen 1997).

Official Title
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The Diameter of the Middle Cerebral Artery Measured With Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) Under Provocation With Glyceryl Trinitrate in Healthy Volunteers.

Conditions
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GTN, Headache, Migraine, MR-Angiography, Healthy Volunteers, Middle Cerebral Artery

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: MR-angiography, GTN


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: healthy volunteers Exclusion Criteria: history of migraine or any other type of primary headaches; any kind of daily medication (including prophylactic headache therapy but not oral contraceptives); excessive use of analgesics (corresponding to >2 g aspirin/day), pregnancy and all known contraindications for MR-examinations incl. claustrophobia.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Device: MR-angiography, GTN|nan|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The primary endpoints were the difference between the area under the curve of the MCA area and the difference between the area under the curve of the diameter of the MCA on an active day and on a placebo day recorded over 60 mins. |  |  | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The secondary endpoints were difference in the area under the curve for the relative changes in area in percent deviation from baseline, and the difference in headache response. |  |  | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Headache, migraine, MR-angiography, healthy volunteers, GTN, Middle cerebral artery