[Features of fibromyalgia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Osobennosti fibromialgii u patsientov s revmatoidnym artritom.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the features of fibromyalgia (FM) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients participated in the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups: RA+FM (n=55), FM (n=21). Anamnesis of life and disease was carefully collected in all patients. The intensity (according to VAS) and phenotype (Pain DETECT, DN4) of pain syndrome (PS), the presence of symptoms of central sensitization (CSI), fatigue (FSS), signs of anxiety and depression (HADS), sleep quality (PSQI), cognitive functions (DSST) and quality of life (QoL) (EQ-5D, FIQR) were also evaluated. RESULTS: The average age of patients in the FM group was significantly lower (42 [35; 53] vs. 50 [42.5; 59], p=0.042). Patients with «pure¼ FM without RA were more often divorced and had no children (p=0.045 and p=0.02, respectively). The duration of PS in the groups did not differ (11 [7; 17] vs. 8 [5; 13] years, p=0.429), however, patients with «pure¼ FM waited longer for diagnosis (115 [40; 198] vs. 20 [5.5; 59] months, p<0.001), and they also were less likely to be recognized as disabled (p=0.003). Patients of both groups had equally severe fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and cognitive functions compared to the norms. Patients of the FM group noted a lower QoL (according to EQ-5D, p=0.041) then in RA+FM group, despite the comparable severity of FM and the intensity of the PS in both groups. CONCLUSION: FM in patients with RA develops at a later age compared to «pure¼ FM. The clinical picture of FM with and without RA does not differ in the main manifestations, however, the QoL of patients with «pure¼ FM is lower. Accounting for fibromyalgia in the treatment of rheumatoid diseases can significantly improve the QoL of patients.

[Botulinum toxin type A (Relatox) in transition from medication overuse to non-overuse status in patients with chronic migraine: a subgroup analysis of phase IIIb randomized single-blind multicenter active-controlled parallel-group trial]. / Botulinicheskii toksin tipa A (Relatoks) v preodolenii lekarstvennogo zloupotrebleniya u patsientov s khronicheskoi migren'yu: podgruppovoi analiz rezul'tatov mnogotsentrovogo prostogo slepogo randomizirovannogo sravnitel'nogo issledovaniya IIIb fazy.

OBJECTIVE: To access the effect of Relatox, the first Russian botulinum toxin type A, in patients with chronic migraine (CM) and medication overuse (MO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In phase IIIb single-blind randomized multicenter active-controlled parallel-group study, patients with CM were randomized to once intramuscular injections of Relatox (n=101) or onabotulinumtoxin A injections - Botox (n=108). This subgroup analysis evaluated the percentage of patients who transition from medication overuse to non overuse status from baseline; mean changes in the number of headache days, migraine headache days, acute headache medication intakes days, headache intensity, proportion of patients who had a ≥50% reduction in headache days, proportion of the patients with severe (≥60) Headache Impact Test-6 score and with a severe (≥21) MIDAS score in a 28-day periods in each treatment among patients with baseline acute medication overuse via repeated measures. RESULTS: Of 209 patients with CM, 100% met medication overuse criteria. Relatox and Botox demonstrated significant improvement for overall least squares mean change in headache days, migraine headache days, headache intensity; and headache-related disability and quality of life in CM patients with baseline MO, without differences between the groups. 75% and 70% patients in the Relatox and Botox groups, respectively, achieved ≥50% reduction in headache days from baseline (OR 1.58, CI 95% 0.84; 3.02, p=0.155). Furthermore, Relatox and Botox significant reduced average medication overuse rates in patient with CM and MO at baseline. 62% of patients in the Relatox group and 48% of patients in the Botox group transitioned from medication overuse to non overuse status compared from baseline (OR 2.07, CI 95% 0.91; 4.62, p=0.044). Relatox group had greater reductions than the Botox group in the percentage of patients with acute migraine-specific medication (triptan) overuse (p=0.050). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate highly prevalent of medication overuse among individuals with CM. This analysis provides evidence that the Russian botulinum toxin type A Relatox significantly improves measures of headache symptoms, quality of life and headache-related disability, and also significantly greater, compared to Botox, reduces migraine-specific medication consumption in patients with chronic migraine who overuse acute medications.

[The role of food allergy as a provoking factor of migraine]. / Rol' pishchevoi allergii kak provotsiruyushchego faktora migreni.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of food allergies on the course of migraine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy patients with migraine, aged 21-56 years old, were examined using headache diary, MIDAS and VAS, studies of specific antibodies of the IgG4 class (delayed type food allergy) by immuno-enzyme analysis (ELISA), microbiological examination of a smear from the mucous membrane of the posterior wall of the oropharynx with mass spectrometry of microbial markers (MSMM) with the identification of 57 microorganisms. RESULTS: We found an increase in specific IgG4 for a number of food allergens in most patients with migraine, of which 48.5% had a pronounced increase in IgG4 (>150 kEd/l) for at least one allergen (cow's milk - 13% patients, wheat flour - 5%, egg white - 47% or yolk - 26%, quail egg - 15%, sweet pepper - 6%), in 29% of people to several food allergens at once (all of them had chicken egg protein as one of the allergens). There was the association of IgG4 titers to wheat allergen with the severity of headache according to VAS (r-S=0.7; p=0.0046) in patients with the most severe, chronic migraine (17 people) and with an imbalance of the oropharyngeal microbiota, namely, concentration of pathological viruses Herpes spp. (rs=0.29; p=0.02), Epstein-Barr (rs=0.46; p=0.0002) and microscopic fungi (rs=0.39; p=0.0016), detected in these patients. CONCLUSION: We show for the first time the relationship between delayed-type food allergy and redistribution in the microbiome of the oropharynx of patients with migraine and once again confirm the role of delayed-type food allergy as a clinically significant factor influencing the course of migraine (its intensity and chronicity).

[Botulinum toxin type A (Relatox) in the treatment of chronic migraine in adults: results of phase IIIb, randomized, one-blind, multicenter, active-controlled, parallel-group trial]. / Botulinicheskii toksin tipa A (Relatoks) v lechenii khronicheskoi migreni u vzroslykh: rezul'taty mul'titsentrovogo prostogo slepogo randomizirovannogo sravnitel'nogo issledovaniya IIIb fazy.

OBJECTIVE: To access the efficacy and safety of the first Russian botulinum toxin type A (Relatox) as a headache prophylaxis in adult with chronic migraine (CM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The randomized, one-blind, multicenter, active-controlled, parallel-group trial study involved 209 patients with CM aged from 19 to 65 years. The patients were randomized to injections of the Russian botulinum toxin type A - Relatox (n=101) or onabotulinumtoxinA injections - Botox (n=108). The duration of the study was 16 weeks, which included five visits of patients every 4 weeks. Relatox and Botox were injected once into seven muscle groups of the head and neck at a dose of 155-195 units. Primary efficacy variable was mean change from baseline in frequency of headache days after 12 weeks. Secondary efficacy variables were mean changes from the baseline to week 12 in frequency of migraine days, acute headache pain medication intakes days; headache intensity; proportion of patients achieving ≥50% reduction from baseline in headache days, the proportion of the patients with medication overuse, the proportion of the patients with severe (≥60) Headache Impact Test-6 score and with a severe (≥21) MIDAS score. RESULTS: Analyses demonstrated a large mean decrease from baseline in frequency of headache days, without statistically significant between-group differences Relatox vs Botox at week 12 (-10.89 vs -10.06; p=0.365) and at other time points. Significant differences from baseline were also observed for all secondary efficacy variables at all time points without differences between the groups. The proportion of patients achieving ≥50% reduction from baseline in headache days was 75.0% and 70% in the Relatox and Botox groups, respectively (OR, CI 95% 1.58 [0.84; 3.02], p=0.155). Adverse events (AE) occurred in 15.8% of Relatox patients and 15.7% of Botox patients (p=1.000). No unexpected AE were identified. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that the first Russian botulinum toxin type A (Relatox) is an effective prophylactic treatment for CM in adult patients. Relatox led to significant improvements from baseline in multiple measures of headache symptoms, headache-related disability and quality of life. For the first time, a comparative analysis of two botulinum toxin type A products in parallel groups showed no less (not inferior) efficacy and safety of Relatox relative to Botox in the treatment of CM in adults.

[The state of the oropharyngeal microbiome in patients with migraine]. / Sostoyanie mikrobioma rotoglotki u patsientov s migren'yu.

OBJECTIVE: To determine a role of changes in the oropharyngeal microbiome in the development and clinical manifestations of migraine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy patients with migraine, aged 21-56 years, and 15 healthy subjects matched for age and sex were examined using headache diary, MIDAS and VAS, the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), microbiological smear examination from the mucous membrane of the posterior wall of the oropharynx with evaluation by the method of mass spectrometry of microbial markers (MSMM) with determination of 57 microorganisms. RESULTS: The following changes in the oropharynx of individuals with migraine compared with the group of healthy individuals (control group) were found: a) a significant increase in the content of markers of resident (conditionally pathogenic) microorganisms characteristic of chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract (strepto- and staphylococci); b) the appearance of markers of transient microorganisms normally absent, characteristic of the intestinal microflora (clostridia, gram-negative rods, enterobacteria, anaerobes); c) the appearance of viral markers of cytomegaloviruses, Herpes group, Epstein-Barr; d) a significant decrease in the content of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli). All people with migraine had a history or were found on examination to have chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract (sinusitis in 48%, pharyngitis in 43%, tonsillitis in 25% of people), and gastrointestinal diseases. Dyspepsia was the most frequent and pronounced of the gastrointestinal syndromes on the GSRS in people with migraine (87%). This corresponds to the data on the extremely frequent occurrence of IBS (70% of patients) and other gastrointestinal pathology obtained from the patient history. CONCLUSION: In our work, the microbiota of the oropharynx in patients with migraine was studied for the first time using a new MSMM method. Disturbance of the oropharyngeal microbiome compared to the norm was detected in 100% of people with migraine. The changes characteristic of most patients included a significant decrease in the content of normal flora, an increase in the concentration of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms and the appearance of pathogenic microflora characteristic of chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract, which may indicate their role in the pathogenesis of migraine.

[Method of onabotulinumtoxin type A injection in chronic migraine: the PREEMPT protocol in clinical practice]. / Metodika in"ektsii onabotulotoksina tipa A (Botoks) pri khronicheskoi migreni ­ protokol PREEMPT v real'noi praktike.

Chronic migraine (CM), a condition where patients experience over 15 days of headache per month, was identified as a separate disease in the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3-beta version. Onabotulinumtoxin type A was approved for the treatment of CM in 2010 after the completion of the extensive PREEMPT (Phase III Research Evaluating Migraine Prophylaxis Therapy) clinical program. The efficacy of onabotulinumtoxin type A was demonstrated in numerous studies in CM and medication-overuse headache. The paper focuses on the PREEMPT injection paradigm and provides guidance for successful and safe treatment of CM.

[Migraine burden and clinical inertia: what can we do?] / Migren' i klinicheskaia inertsiia: chto my mozhem sdelat'?

AIM: To study the compliance of neurologists and headache specialists to chronic headache and chronic migraine (CM) diagnosis and treatment guidelines. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The survey included 634 neurologists from all regions of the Russian Federation. Mean age of respondents was 40.7±8.5 years, mean years of experience 14.2±7.8 years. RESULTS: Most doctors work in outpatient or hospital settings (49% and 24%, respectively), 7% were headache specialists. Tension-type headache (TTH) was diagnosed in 30% and CM in 17% of patients while 44% of patients were presumed to have a mixed headache disorder (TTH+CM). Only 10% of physicians do not use instrumental diagnostic methods in chronic headache. This study has shown sufficient attention to comorbid conditions and frequent prescription of headache preventative treatment. Botox prescription data is equivocal: 35% of physicians recommend such treatment, 27% do not, while other doctors prescribe it for off-label indications. CONCLUSION: To overcome clinical inertia, further education in chronic headaches and their optimal treatment is warranted.

[Memory and attention deficit in migraine: overlooked symptoms]. / Narusheniia pamiati i vnimaniia u patsientov s migren'iu: nedootsenennye simptomy.

AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of objective cognitive impairment (CI) in patients with episodic migraine (EM) during the interictal period and in the chronic migraine (CM) population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients with CM and 42 patients with low-frequency EM (less than 4 headache days a month), aged 18-59, were enrolled. Depression and anxiety were assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Cognitive functions were evaluated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). RESULTS: In the CM group DSST and MoCA performance as well as the RAVLT total learning index were significantly decreased compared to EM; 38% of CM patients scored lower than 26 points of the MoCA scale. Negative correlations between headache frequency and DSST and MoCA results were observed. There was no correlation between cognitive test performance and anxiety/depression levels. CONCLUSION: Patients with EM and CM present with objective CI. The prevalence and severity of cognitive deficits rise with increasing headache frequency.

[Temporomandibular disorder and cervicalgia: pathophysiology underlying the comorbidity with chronic migraine]. / Disfunktsiia visochno-nizhnecheliustnogo sustava i tservikalgiia: patofiziologicheskie mekhanizmy i komorbidnaia sviaz' s khronicheskoi migren'iu.

AIM: To analyze the prevalence of various clinical forms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and cervicalgia in episodic (EM) and chronic migraine (CM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety patients with CM and 42 patients with EM as defined by the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-3 beta were recruited. TMD and sleep bruxism were diagnosed according to the DC/TMD criteria and the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-R), respectively. RESULTS: Myofascial pain was the most prevalent form of TMD in both EM and CM. The prevalence of TMD was higher in CM as compared to EM (60% vs. 21.4%, respectively, p=0.0001). The prevalence of bruxism was comparable across EM and CM (14.3% vs. 28.8%, respectively, p=0.08) and significantly lower than that of TMD in the CM population (28.8% vs. 60%, respectively, p=0.0001). Frequent cervicalgia (≥15 days per month) was reported by 65.5% and 21.4% of CM and EM patients, respectively (p=0.0001); 44.4% of CM patients reported neck pain immediately before or during migraine attacks only, 14.4% during the headache and interictal phases. CONCLUSION: The higher prevalence of pain-related TMD and cervicalgia in CM population compared to EM and the general population was shown. In CM, myofascial pain and tenderness in the masticatory and neck muscles may be caused by central sensitization (CS) with no link to temporomandibular joint or spinal pathology. Myofascial TMD and neck muscle dysfunction are an integral part of CM pathophysiology underlying headache chronification.

[Real-world migraine burden: clinical and economic aspects]. / Bremia migreni v real'noi klinicheskoi praktike: klinicheskie i ékonomicheskie aspekty.

AIM: To evaluate the rationale for different approaches to preventive chronic migraine (CM) treatment by comparing clinical outcomes and financial burden of the disease in the real-world practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients with CM were enrolled at the Alexander Vein Headache Clinic (60 women and 6 men, aged 28-51). All patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (n=22) received oral preventative treatment with topiramate, up to 100 mg daily, for three months; group 2 (n=20) received 12 acupuncture sessions (3 sessions a week); group 3 (n=24) received 155-195 units of botulinum toxin type A (botox, BTA). The follow-up period in all groups was 3 months. Efficacy was evaluated by clinical examination, the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and questionnaires to assess subjective patient satisfaction and treatment tolerability. RESULTS: BTA demonstrated the highest efficacy in this study. Compared to the oral preventative treatment and acupuncture, BTA reduced the frequency of headache faster and more significantly facilitating CM transformation into episodic migraine (headache frequency was 16.1±0.1; 18.0±0.02; and 13.9±0.3 in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively, after one month of treatment). BTA also improved the quality of life faster and more significantly and was better tolerated (good - 51%, 75% and 85% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively; satisfactory - 35%, 25% and 15% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively; bad 14% in the oral prevention group). In the BTA group, the majority of patients demonstrated earlier treatment satisfaction. Despite higher (compared to topiramate) direct costs in the BTA group (RUB 29 931.51 and RUB 32 085.87, respectively), the predicted cost of a headache-free day was the smallest and totaled RUB 652.15 (compared to RUB 692.86 and RUB 1017.60 in the topiramate and acupuncture groups, respectively). CONCLUSION: The data on the efficacy and costs of different CM prevention strategies would facilitate optimal treatment choice for neurologists and patients.

[Ways of optimizing the management of patients with migraine in Russia (resolution of the council of experts)]. / Puti optimizatsii vedeniia patsientov s migren'iu v Rossii (rezoliutsiia soveta ékspertov).

Migraine is the third most common disease in the world. The overall prevalence of migraine in the Russian Federation is estimated at 20% with an estimated global prevalence of 14.7%. Migraine affects mostly people of working age and has a significant negative impact on the quality of life, the level of adaptation, ability to work, social functioning. Migraine represents a significant social and economic burden for patients and society as a whole. A team of national experts on migraine offers a program to prioritize quality of management of patients with headache.

[Temporomandibular disorder as the most prevalent cause of facial pain: current evidence]. / Disfunktsiia visochno-nizhnecheliustnogo sustava kak naibolee chastaia prichina boli v litse: sovremennoe sostoianie problemy.

Orofacial pain is a comprehensive and multi-faceted syndrome. After dental causes have been excluded, neurologists are challenged to diagnose the cause of pain. The paper gives a detailed review of one of the most common causes of facial pain - temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Current DC/TMD diagnostic criteria, patient examination protocols and a new perspective on TMD pathophysiology based on the recent neurological studies are presented. The article also discusses modern approaches to TMD management.

[Diagnosis and treatment of migraine: Recommendations of the Russian experts]. / Diagnostika i lechenie migreni: rekomendatsii rossiiskikh ékspertov.

These recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of migraine were elaborated by Russian headache experts in accordance with the evidence-based practice. Together with the latest classification, diagnostic principles and criteria of different clinical sub-forms the consensus contains basic data on migraine epidemiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, differential diagnosis and most effective and evidence based approaches to pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of migraine patients.

[Muscle-skeletal pain].

The paper is devoted to the most complicated aspects of low back pain. The differences between specific and nonspecific low back pain using the "red flags" system is highlighted. The authors consider the causes of pain chronification (the "yellow flags" system) and the necessity of using a biopsychosocial model. Main pathogenetic mechanisms of chronic muscle/skeletal pain are considered and the possible involvement of several mechanism in the pathogenesis of chronic pain as well as the use of complex therapy is discussed. The high efficacy and safety of ketorolac in treatment of nonspecific muscle/skeletal pain is demonstrated.

[Differential diagnosis between mechanical and inflammatory lower back pain, therapy options]. / Differentsial'naia diagnostika vospalitel'noi i mekhanicheskoi boli v spine.

The article presents the differential diagnosis between mechanical and inflammatory lower back pain based on clinical and paraclinical evidence. The results of comparative studies of amtolmetinum guacilum (AMG) and celecoxib, as well the CORONA study of its efficacy and cardiovascular safety in ankylosing spondylitis, are also discussed.

[Central regulation of pain in patients with joint disease and approaches to therapy]. / Tsentral'naia reguliatsii boli u patsientov s zabolevaniem sustavov i podkhody k terapii.

The paper reviews investigations studies that have demonstrated that chronic pain syndrome is mixed in rheumatic diseases. The nervous system is involved in its pathogenesis with different frequency and different mechanisms. Under the influence of afferent pain impulses from damaged joints, there are changes in the excitability of spinal cord neurons, which is called central sensitization (CS). A number of patients have enhanced CS and clinical manifestations as neuropathic sensitive phenomena. The mixed model of the development of chronic pain in joint diseases and its presence along with nociceptive (inflammatory) and neuropathic pain components may explain the discrepancy between joint inflammatory and structural changes and pain intensity, the presence of distant pain and sensitive disorders in the areas outside the joint, and sometimes the efficiency of anti-inflammatory therapy. The presence of the neuropathic pain component serves as a rationale for combined therapy by adding centrally acting drugs, such as anticonvulsants.

[Migraine and temporomandibular joint dysfunction: mechanisms of comorbidity].

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the frequency of different forms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) in episodic and chronic migraine and to study mechanisms of their comorbidity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-three patients with chronic migraine (CM) and 40 patients with episodic migraine (EM) were examined. Anxiety and depression were assessed with the HADS, quality-of-life related to headache was measured with the HIT-6. To evaluate the antinociceptive system function, we studied blink reflex (BR) and nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR). RESULTS: The higher frequency of TMJD was identified in patients with CM compared to those with EM (47.5 and 28.5%, respectively), CM patients more frequently had disturbances related to the myofascial pain syndrome of masticatory muscles. R3 BR and NFR thresholds were significantly decreased in CM patients as well. CONCLUSION: TMJD is a component of the pathogenesis in many patients with CM. Masticatory muscles may generate nociceptive impulses in CNS, ie be a source of peripheral sensitization, that promote pain chronification, including migraine. Dysfunction of masticatory muscles may reflect the central sensitization and disturbance of efferent pain control.

[Computerized method of objectification of dizziness and vertigo and differential diagnostic of vestibulopathies].

OBJECTIVE: To create a complex computerized method of objectification of dizziness and vertigo, and differentiation of vestibulopathies of various geneses using electrooculography approach that allows to record and analyze spontaneous, vestibular- and visually-induced eye movements, with the following classification (discriminant) analysis of the results obtained. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 69 patients of different sex and age complained of dizziness, vertigo and disequilibrium, and 64 healthy men. Based on the results of clinical examination, patients were divided into three groups: patients with peripheral vestibulopathy, patients with central vestibulopathy and patients with psychogenic vestibulopathy. Electrooculography was performed using the hardware-software complex (HSC) "OCULOSTIM-CM". RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Significant diagnostic parameters based on the recognition and analysis of spontaneous, vestibular- and visually-induced eye movements were coefficients of efficacy and increased frequency of fixation saccades and smooth pursuit with- and without retinal optokinetic stimulation. We developed the algorithm and complex computerized method for differentiation of different types of vestibulopathy.

[Behavioral dependence on analgesics in medication overuse headache].

Authors conducted a clinical and psychological study in 3 groups of patients: 43 patients with medication overuse headache (MOH), 23 patients with chronic headache without medication overuse and 14 patients with episodic migraine. Along with clinical and neurological examination, the following questionnaires were administered: the McGill questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Spielberger-Khanin test, the Toronto alexithymia scale, the Leonhard personality inventory and an inventory based on the Benzodiazepine Dependence Self-Report Questionnaire (BDSRQ). It was demonstrated similar clinical and psychological profiles, with the exception of BDSRQ scores, of patients with chronic headache irrelevant of the presence of headache abortive medication overuse. It was identified a progressive disease course with a formation of a specific behavioral pattern. Further studies are warranted to understand the reasons for acquiring behavioral dependence on analgetic medications, to improve management and prevent relapses of medication overuse headache.

[New approaches to the treatment of chronic daily headache].

Two groups of patients with chronic daily headache have been treated: 16 patients of the first group received katadolon (flupirtin) in dose 300 mg per day during 2 months as an alternative analgesics instead of combined sedative drugs (sedalgin, pentalgin, citramon) that patients abused for many years. The withdrawal period was painless, the use of katadolon resulted in the reduction of attack frequency and the decrease in the amount of traditional analgesics. Katadolon was well tolerated, only two patients reported the total weakness and 1 patient reported diarrhea. Velafax (venlafaxine) in dose 75 mg per day was prescribed to 18 patients of the 2nd group during 6 weeks. The treatment resulted in the decrease of attack frequency and pain intensity. Velafax reduced allodynia which was studied using algometria and touches, and wind-up phenomenon. There was the significant increase of the R3 component of nociceptive blink reflex threshold and pain threshold of nociceptive flexor reflex that indicates the augmentation of antinociceptive protection and decrease in the sensitization of central nociceptive neurons of the trigeminal nerve. Patients treated with Velafax experienced nausea, constipation, impairment of sustained attention, decrease of appetite however these side-effects were mild and passed without treatment during 5-7 days.