Trial reportThe journal of headache and pain2013
Headache and mechanical sensitization of human pericranial muscles after repeated intake of monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Trial report in The journal of headache and pain, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 21 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
21 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Does monosodium glutamate really cause headache? : a systematic review of human studies.The journal of headache and pain · 2016Pooled it
- Muscle pain sensitivity after glutamate injection is not modified by systemic administration of monosodium glutamate.The journal of headache and pain · 2015Trial
- Unmasking the relationship between CGRP and glutamate: from peripheral excitation to central sensitization in migraine.The journal of headache and pain · 2025Review
- Dietary Patterns and Migraine: Insights and Impact.Nutrients · 2025Review
- The Potential Role of Glutamate Receptors and their Antagonists or Modulators in Migraine Therapy.Current neuropharmacology · 2025Review
- Unraveling the MSG-Headache Controversy: an Updated Literature Review.Current pain and headache reports · 2024Review
- Disruptive consequences of monosodium glutamate on male reproductive function: A review.Current research in toxicology · 2024Review
- All Roads Lead to the Gut: The Importance of the Microbiota and Diet in Migraine.Neurology international · 2023Review
- Orally Administered Bifidobacterium adolescentis Diminishes Serum Glutamate Concentration in Mice.Microbiology spectrum · 2023Article
- Targeting Peripheral N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR): A Novel Strategy for the Treatment of Migraine.Journal of clinical medicine · 2023Review
- Microbiome-Driven Proline Biogenesis in Plants under Stress: Perspectives for Balanced Diet to Minimize Depression Disorders in Humans.Microorganisms · 2022Review
- Peripheral N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation contributes to monosodium glutamate-induced headache but not nausea behaviours in rats.Scientific reports · 2022Article
- Testing the Role of Glutamate NMDA Receptors in Peripheral Trigeminal Nociception Implicated in Migraine Pain.International journal of molecular sciences · 2022Article
- Dysregulation of the peripheral glutamatergic system: A key player in migraine pathogenesis?Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache · 2021Review
- Food in Chronic Pain: Friend or Foe?Nutrients · 2020Article
- Could Dietary Glutamate Play a Role in Psychiatric Distress?Neuropsychobiology · 2020Review
- Functional Change in Experimental Allodynia After Glutamate-Induced Pain in the Human Masseter Muscle.Frontiers in oral health · 2020Article
- Association between salt substitutes/enhancers and changes in sodium levels in fast-food restaurants: a cross-sectional analysis.CMAJ open · 2018Article
- Re-evaluation of glutamic acid (E 620), sodium glutamate (E 621), potassium glutamate (E 622), calcium glutamate (E 623), ammonium glutamate (E 624) and magnesium glutamate (E 625) as food additives.EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2017Article
- Fathoming the kynurenine pathway in migraine: why understanding the enzymatic cascades is still critically important.Internal and emergency medicine · 2015Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundA single intake of monosodium glutamate (MSG) may cause headache and increased muscle sensitivity. We conducted a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study to examine the effect of repeated MSG intake on spontaneous pain, mechanical sensitivity of masticatory muscles, side effects, and blood pressure.
methodsFourteen healthy subjects participated in 5 daily sessions for one week of MSG intake (150 mg/kg) or placebo (24 mg/kg NaCl) (randomized, double-blinded). Spontaneous pain, pressure pain thresholds and tolerance levels for the masseter and temporalis muscles, side effects, and blood pressure were evaluated before and 15, 30, and 50 min after MSG intake. Whole saliva samples were taken before and 30 min after MSG intake to assess glutamate concentrations.
resultsHeadache occurred in 8/14 subjects during MSG and 2/14 during placebo (P = 0.041). Salivary glutamate concentrations on Day 5 were elevated significantly (P < 0.05). Pressure pain thresholds in masseter muscle were reduced by MSG on Day 2 and 5 (P < 0.05). Blood pressure was significantly elevated after MSG (P < 0.040).
conclusionIn conclusion, MSG induced mechanical sensitization in masseter muscle and adverse effects such as headache and short-lasting blood pressure elevation for which tolerance did not develop over 5 days of MSG intake.
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