Recent findings in headache genetics.
OBJECTIVE
The progress in headache genetics, especially migraine genetics, recently jumped ahead with some major discoveries.


RESULTS
Family and epidemiological studies further strengthen the genetic contribution to migraine and two recent observations gave new molecular insights in the disease. Studies on the genetics of familial hemiplegic migraine revealed, in addition to the previously identified familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 gene CACNA1A on chromosome 19, the familial hemiplegic migraine type 2 gene ATP1A2, encoding the alpha2-subunit of sodium/potassium pumps. Recent genome screens in families with migraine identified susceptibility loci on chromosomes 4, 6, 11 and 14.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings in familial hemiplegic migraine confirm that dysfunction in ion transport is a key factor in migraine pathophysiology and might help us in the elucidation of migraine molecular pathways. The identification of several migraine susceptibility loci underline its genetically complex nature.
Kors
Esther E
EE
Department of Neurology and Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Vanmolkot
Kaate R J
KR
Haan
Joost
J
Frants
Rune R
RR
van den Maagdenberg
Arn M J M
AM
Ferrari
Michel D
MD
D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D020864:Calcium Channels, N-Type; D020865:Calcium Channels, P-Type; D020907:Calcium Channels, Q-Type; D002878:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1; D002888:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006261:Headache; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D020325:Migraine with Aura / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009154:Mutation; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism
D015220:Calcium Channels; D020864:Calcium Channels, N-Type; D020865:Calcium Channels, P-Type; D020907:Calcium Channels, Q-Type; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; C105656:CACNA1A protein, human; C498531:ATP1A2 protein, human