Migraine and MTHFR C677T genotype in a population-based sample.
OBJECTIVE
Migraine with aura is associated with increased risk of stroke. The MTHFR C677T genotype has been associated with increased risk of migraine in selected clinical samples and with elevated homocysteine, a risk factor for stroke. We assessed the association of the MTHFR C677T variant with migraine and the mediating effect of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic markers of genotype status.


METHODS
We compared adult migraineurs with aura (MA; n = 187), without aura (MO; n = 226), and nonmigraineurs (n = 1,212) from the population-based Genetic Epidemiology of Migraine study.


RESULTS
Compared with the wild-type genotype, the T/T genotype was associated with increased odds of MA (odds ratio [OR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-3.4; p < 0.006), with a trend of increasing numbers of T alleles (OR, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.8; p < 0.007). ORs were slightly attenuated after adjusting for homocysteine.


CONCLUSIONS
Risk of MA is associated with MTHFR C674T homozygosity, independent of other cardiovascular risk factors.
Scher
Ann I
AI
Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799, USA. ascher@usuhs.mil
Terwindt
Gisela M
GM
Verschuren
W M Monique
WM
Kruit
Mark C
MC
Blom
Henk J
HJ
Kowa
Hisanori
H
Frants
Rune R
RR
van den Maagdenberg
Arn M J M
AM
van Buchem
Mark
M
Ferrari
Michel D
MD
Launer
Lenore J
LJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019731:Carbon-Nitrogen Ligases / Q000235:genetics*; D018672:Community Health Planning; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
D006710:Homocysteine; D019731:Carbon-Nitrogen Ligases; C021557:5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase