BREAKING NEWS - 12th June 2011 - Scientists have uncovered a trio of genes tied to migraine headaches

Scientists have uncovered a trio of genes tied to migraine headaches, including one in which the link is exclusive to women, according to a study published Sunday.

Migraines are acutely debilitating headaches -- sometimes with an "aura", in which patients have the impression of seeing through frosted glass -- that strike up to 20 percent of the population.

Scientists describe the condition, which is three to four times more common in women, as a brain disorder in which neurons, or brain cells, respond abnormally to stimuli.

The precise cause it unknown, but inheritance is thought to play a significant role.

To assess the genetic component, Markus Schuerks of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston coordinated an international sweep of genomes in 23,230 women, 5,122 of whom suffered from migraines.

So-called genome-wide association studies compare differences between individuals across the approximately three billion pairs of basic molecular building blocks found in the human genetic code.

The study, published Sunday in the British journal Nature Genetics, is the largest to date of its kind. It found variations in three genes that showed up more frequently in migraine patients.

Two of them, known as PRDM16 and TRPM8, were specific to migraines, as opposed to other kinds of headaches.

TRPM8, in addition, was linked to migraines only in women. Earlier studies have shown that the same gene contains the genetic "blueprint" for a pain sensor, in both men and women

http://www.nature.com/ng/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ng.856.html

I found this exciting - at last a possible test to prove migraine.

I loved the quote:

"The brain of a person with migraine responds differently to certain stimuli, their nerve cells 'talk' differently to each other," explained Shuerks in an email.

Now they have this - maybe one day we will get a drug made just for migraine and not all these drugs designed for something else....

MIGRAINE ACTION REPORTS
Posted 14/06/11

Yesterday the Daily Express published information on new research featured in the British Journal of Nature Genetics, in which scientists say they have identified three gene variants in the DNA of migraineurs, including one in which the link is exclusive to women.

The study is the largest to date of its kind, featuring 23,230 women, 5122 of whom had migraine. It found variations in three genes that showed up more frequently in migraine patients.

Markus Schuerks of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, US, coordinated the international study. The study authors say they have identified three gene variants in the DNA of migraineurs, with two of them, known as PRDM16 and TRPM8, being specific to migraine, as opposed to other types of headache.

One of the genes, TRPM8, is involved in brain cells and triggers pain and is linked to migraines in women, while another sends messages between neurons. The third suspect gene, LRP1, is involved in sensing the external world and in chemical pathways inside the brain.

None of the genetic variants appeared to be connected specifically to migraines with or without aura.

Dr Schurks says: "The influence of these genes is probably not large enough to be immediately used as a diagnostic tool. But the findings are an advancement of the understanding of migraine biology".

This research follows research published last September in which scientists found a faulty gene linked to headaches. To read our news item regarding this gene research click here.

Dr Andy Dowson, Chairman of Migraine Action's Medical Advisory Board, comments: "In recent months there have been several reports of genetic findings in migraine. Glutamate (a brain transmitter) clearance and response to sumatriptan in prodrome have both been linked to specific genetic sequences. This most recent publication recognises 3 DNA sequences more common in migraineurs than those without migraine in a large study. The associations at rs2651899 and rs10166942 were specific for migraine compared with non-migraine headache. None of the three SNP associations was preferential for migraine with aura or without aura, nor were any associations specific for migraine features. Understanding what these sequences influence and how may produce drug targets for researchers and ultimately new treatments".