Comparison of the blink reflex in classical and idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia

Bettina Bjerring, Stine Maarbjerg, Tone Heinskou, Lars Bendtsen, Miki Nikolic, Valentina Grillo, Roberto De Icco, Henrik Winther Schytz*

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

2 Citationer (Scopus)
9 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background
Previous findings indicate that the blink reflex is useful to distinguish between primary (classical/idiopathic) and secondary trigeminal neuralgia. No prior studies have investigated whether the blink reflex could identify differences in electrophysiological responses between classical and idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. With this in mind, we investigated the blink reflex in a cohort of classical and idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia patients.
Methods
Participants were consecutively enrolled in the study. According to magnetic resonance imaging findings, the patients were subgrouped into either classical or idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. Assessors were blinded to the subgroup and pain side, and the blink reflex was examined to assess R1 and R2 latencies, as well as the area under the curve.
Results
The study group constituted of 55 patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia: 25 patients with classical trigeminal neuralgia and 30 patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. None of the blink reflex latencies (R1 and R2) or the area under the curve significantly differed between the two subgroups when adjusted for age and sex (p > 0.05).
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that the blink reflex cannot be used to differentiate classical and idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia patients, and that both subgroups may share common pathophysiological mechanisms.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftCephalalgia
Vol/bind43
Udgave nummer7
Antal sider9
ISSN0333-1024
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2023

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© International Headache Society 2023.

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