The Vitamin D Role in Preventing Primary Headache in Adult and Pediatric Population

Abstract

Headache is among the main neurological disorders with a great impact on both adults and children. The diagnosis of primary headache and proper management is often delayed with a great impact on work productivity and overall quality of life. Chronic headache often requires prophylactic therapy to reduce the frequency and severity of the attacks and the use of abortive medications. Besides the use of several classes of drugs, another treatment modality is the use of Nutraceuticals. Some studies have suggested a possible role of vitamin D in headache prophylaxis. Indeed, vitamin D is involved in several pathways of brain development, neuroprotection and neurotransmission. Moreover, there is data suggesting a close relationship between primary headache and vitamin D deficiency, both in children and in adults. To date, a few studies have evaluated the effect of vitamin D on headaches. The aim of this review is to summarize the data collected on headache prophylaxis with vitamin D comparing the effects of vitamin D in pediatric and adult populations.

Keywords: headache; migraine; nutraceutical; pharmacological prophylaxis; vitamin D.

Figure 1

Vitamin D role in headache prevention. Abbreviation: Magnesium (Mg), neural growth factor (NGF), nuerotrophin 3 (NT3), glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neurotrophin 4 (NT4), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF1), interleukin-4 (IL-4), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF α), macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF).