Tension-type headache

Members
Lars Bendtsen, Lotte Skytte Krøll, Sait Ashina, Rigmor Jensen

Background
Increased understanding of the relative importance of peripheral factors (mainly muscular) and central factors (mainly central pain processing) in the pathophysiology of tension-type headache are crucial for the development of more effective treatment options for this disorder. Experimental models studying muscular factors, e.g. muscle pain sensitivity, and central factors, e.g. degree of wind-up, and the interaction between these factors are needed to explore the cause/effect relationship between the various peripheral and central abnormalities reported in tension-type headache.

Previous studies from our group have, e.g., demonstrated abnormal tenderness and pain perception indicating central sensitization.

Current projects
Investigations of muscular pain sensitivity, epidemiology of neck pain and headache, processing and modulation of peripheral nociceptive input in the central nervous system and the role of neck pain in tension-type headache.

Collaboration
Professor Jens Elrich, Centre for Sensory-Motor Interactions, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark. Professor Lars Arendt Nielsen, Centre for Sensory-Motor Interactions, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark. Professor Tim Steiner, Division of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Imperial College London, London W6 8RP, UK.