Cluster headache (CH): causes

Familial

• There is a family history in about 6 to 8% of cases
• This often involves female subjects
• The transmission pattern is mainly autosomal dominant
• Putative loci include DUSP10, CAPN2,ERTK, FTCDNL1, FHL5, WNT2, PLCE1, AND LRP1
• Familial cases manifest nasal blockage more frequently than non-familial cases
• There is a high frequency of concurrent SUNCT

References

1. Mainardi F, Trucco M, Maggioni F, Palestini C, Dainese F, Zanchin G. Cluster-like headache. A comprehensive reappraisal. Cephalalgia 2010; 30:399-412.
2. O'Connor E, Simpson BS, Houlden H, Vandrovcova J, Matharu M. Prevalence of familial cluster headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Headache Pain 2020; 21:37.
3. Waung MW, Taylor A, Qualmann KJ, Burish MJ. Family history of cluster headache: a systematic review. JAMA Neurol 2020; 77:887-896.
4. O'Connor E, Nikram E, Grangeon L, Danno D, Houlden H, Matharu M. The clinical characteristics of familial cluster headache. Cephalalgia 2022; 42:715-721. 
5. Petersen AS, Lund N, Goadsby PJ, et al. Recent advances in diagnosing, managing, and understanding the pathophysiology of cluster headache. Lancet Neurol 2024; 23:712-724.
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