title: Migraine: sex-influenced trait model?
abstract: Migraine is a periodic disorder with a worldwide prevalence of 5-19%. This study raises the hypothesis of a sex-influenced genetic model of migraine transmission. That migraine may be sex-influenced (autosomal dominant in females and autosomal recessive in males) is supported by such evidences as: (1) familial hemiplegic migraine, subtype from migraine with aura, being dominantly assigned to autosomal chromosome 19p, 1q, and 2q; (2) a male to female prevalence of 1:2-4; (3) primarily young age of onset; (4) provocation by pharmaceutical contraception; (5) induction by menstruation; (6) self-limitation after menopause; and (7) only female migraineurs in some migraine families. Female sex hormone in the migraineur may be the key factor, comparable to the male sex hormone: androgen, in the genetic baldness. Migraine appears caused by a multi-factor inheritance with higher rates among females than males, and influenced by environmental and cultural factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Shanghai first People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University, Shanghai, PR China. wangxp@ustc.edu
authors.forename: Xiao-Ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jian-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yong-Bo
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D005808:Genes, Recessive; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010053:Ovary / Q000503:physiopathology; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D012701:Serotonin