Association between migraine and the G1246A polymorphism in the hypocretin receptor 2 gene.
BACKGROUND
The hypocretin receptor 2 (HCRTR2) G1246A polymorphism has been associated with the risk for cluster headache. Since the hypothalamic hypocretin/orexin system projects throughout the nervous system and affects multiple vegetative functions including generation of rhythmicity, vasomotion, autonomic symptoms as well as modulation of nociception, it may also be linked with migraine.


OBJECTIVE
We thus sought to evaluate whether the HCRTR2 G1246A polymorphism is associated with the risk for migraine.


METHODS
We prospectively established a cohort of 146 unrelated patients with migraine. The control group consisted of 279 healthy volunteers. We genotyped patients and controls for the HCRTR2 G1246A polymorphism and examined an association with presence or absence of migraine.


RESULTS
Genotype and allele frequencies were not significantly different between migraine patients and controls (genotype distribution: chi(2)= 4.13, 2 df, P= .13; allele distribution: chi(2)= 0.9, 1 df, P= .34).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study does not support a major contribution of the HCRTR2 G1246A polymorphism to the pathogenesis of migraine in contrast to its effects in cluster headache.
Schürks
Markus
M
Department of Neurology, University of Duisberg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Limmroth
Volker
V
Geissler
Ingrid
I
Tessmann
Grietje
G
Savidou
Irini
I
Engelbergs
Jörg
J
Kurth
Tobias
T
Diener
Hans-Christoph
HC
Rosskopf
Dieter
D
D000328:Adult; D000409:Alanine / Q000235:genetics*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005998:Glycine / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D064446:Orexin Receptors; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics*; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000235:genetics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D064446:Orexin Receptors; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; D000409:Alanine; D005998:Glycine