The regulation of prolactin (PRL) secretion periodicity in cluster headache (CH) and in atypical facial pain (AFP) has been studied in nine and seven patients, respectively. The physiological periodicity of the hormone secretion, with its highest levels during night sleep and its lowest during the waking hours, is upset in CH, but not in AFP. A rhythmicity occurs in CH only in the presence of severe pain, which appears to be the synchronizing event. Lithium carbonate treatment does not interfere with the mentioned changes in PRL secretion in CH.
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