Contribution of serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms to pediatric migraine.
BACKGROUND
The serotonin transporter gene is a promising candidate locus for the genetic susceptibility of migraine.


OBJECTIVE
Two functional polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR and STin2) were analyzed to assess whether these variants are associated with pediatric migraine.


METHODS
Eighty-seven Hungarian pediatric migraine patients and 464 controls were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction. Patients suffering from migraine with (n = 38) or without aura (n = 49) were interviewed regarding the clinical symptoms before or during the attacks.


RESULTS
There was no difference between genotype or allele distribution of 5-HTTLPR and STin2 polymorphisms in the entire group of migraineurs and controls. Analysis of subgroups showed an association between STin2 and migraine with aura, as the 12,12 homozygote genotype was overrepresented in this group of patients. Furthermore, similar allele and genotype patterns were found in cases with severe vomiting and abdominal pain.


CONCLUSIONS
These results confirm and extend the association between the STin2 polymorphism of 5-HTT gene and migraine with aura using pediatric probands. Our data also suggest a novel endophenotype for pediatric migraine characterized by excessive vomiting and abdominal pain during the attack.
Szilagyi
Agnes
A
Institute of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Boor
Krisztina
K
Orosz
Iren
I
Szantai
Eszter
E
Szekely
Anna
A
Kalasz
Huba
H
Sasvari-Szekely
Maria
M
Farkas
Viktor
V
D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins