New risk factors of migraine discovered

The world's largest study of 100,000 subjects: researchers discover new risk factors for migraine

06/24/2013

Researchers have discovered new genetic risk factors for migraine based on a study of over 100,000 subjects. However, these causes are responsible only for a small part of the disease risk.

14 percent of adults suffer from migraine
Migraine is a relatively widespread condition, with the symptoms being extremely variable among those affected. While some patients complain of mild dizziness, nausea, and severe headaches, the typical symptoms of migraine are much more severe in other people, and they also struggle with so-called aura symptoms. The exact causes of the disease could not be clarified so far. However, it can be assumed that besides environmental factors and lifestyle genetic factors also play an essential role in the development of migraine. Now, an international research team has discovered just such genetic risk factors and hope for more targeted treatment approaches.

Scientists have identified five new regions that are believed to be responsible for the development of migraine. More than 100,000 subjects participated in the study, which was published in the journal „Nature Genetics“ (New York) was presented. About 14 percent of adults are reported to suffer from migraine whose attacks may be associated with severe nausea and vomiting. Co-author Prof. Hartmut Göbel from the Migraine and Head Pain Center of the Pain Clinic Kiel, said that the genes are functionally important for the control of neurotransmitters and nerve regulation in the brain. „On this basis, it is now possible to specifically develop new treatment methods that precisely intervene in the developmental mechanisms of migraine. "

New and targeted treatment methods are hoped for
In the investigations, the roughly 100 participating researchers analyzed data from 29 genome studies with 23,285 migraine patients and 95,425 control persons. According to the scientists, this is the world's most comprehensive study of genetic factors of migraine. The President of the German Migraine and Headache Society, Prof. Andreas Straube said that the previously discovered genetic causes could explain about 20 to 30 percent of the disease risk. The researchers describe in their study, together with the now five newly discovered, a total of twelve regions in the genome of migraine sufferers who are jointly responsible for the disease risk. It has been reported that eight of the regions near genes that play a role in the control of brain circuits have been discovered. Two others are responsible for the maintenance of normal brain and nerve cell function. The control of these circuits are, according to the pain clinic Kiel, important for the genetic risk of developing migraine. „A particular challenge will now be to elucidate in detail which molecular mechanisms of this genetic predisposition are actually underlying, "says co-author Christian Kubisch of the Ulm Institute of Human Genetics., Then there is the hope that new and more targeted treatment approaches could be developed.

Also read:
Genetic changes cause of migraine?
Neck and headaches indicate migraine
Different symptoms of migraine
With naturopathy for headaches and migraines
Lifestyle cause for headaches and migraines?
Home remedies for headaches
Health: Many causes of migraine