First genetic link to common migraine found
Posted on August 31, 2010
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In a first of its kind study, scientists have traced genetic risk associated with migraine attacks, which might make it possible for the novel therapeutics to prevent migraine attacks.
Researchers looked at the genetic data of more than 50,000 people.
The team found that patients with a particular DNA variant on Chromosome 8 between two genes – PGCP and MTDH/AEG-1 – have a significantly greater risk for developing migraine.
The team also discovered a potential explanation for this link. It appears that the associated DNA variant regulates levels of glutamate – a chemical, known as a neurotransmitter, which transports messages between nerve cells in the brain.
The results suggest that an accumulation of glutamate in nerve cell junctions (synapses) in the brain may play a key role in the initiation of migraine attacks.Prevention of the build up of glutamate at the synapse may provide a promising target for novel therapeutics to ease the burden of the disease.
“This is the first time we have been able to peer into the genomes of many thousands of people and find genetic clues to understand common migraine,” said Aarno Palotie of Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute.
The researchers carried out what is known as a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to zoom in on genome variants that could increase susceptibility to migraine.
The team compared the genomes of more than 3000 people from Finland, Germany and The Netherlands with migraine with the genomes of more than 10,000 non-migraineurs, recruited from pre-existing studies, to spot differences that might account for one group”s increased susceptibility to migraine.
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