Migraine as a sex-conditioned inherited disorder: evidences from China and the world.
Migraine is a complex and heterogeneous disorder. Although several genetic models has been proposed including autosomal-dominant/autosomal recessive, sex-linked, sex-limited, mitochondrial, and multi-gene, none of these models can well-explain the transmission of the disease. We hypothesied that migraine is a sex-conditioned inherited disorder (autosomal dominant in females and autosomal recessive in males). This hypothesis is supported by the evidence such as the locations of genes associated with familial hemiplegic migraine, possibly "typical" migraine as well (dominantly on chromosome 19p, 1q, and 2q), male:female ratio of prevalence (1:2-1:4), the mostly youth-onset, the provocation by the contraceptives, the induction by menstruation, and the self-limitation after menopause. Female sex-hormones appear to be the key contributor to a higher prevalence of migraine in female. Socio-environmental factors may also play an important role.
Wang
Xiao-Ping
XP
Department of Neurology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China. x_p_wang@hotmail.com
Ding
Hong-Liu
HL
Geng
Chang-Ming
CM
Jiang
Yu-Mei
YM
D017668:Age of Onset; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005799:Genes, Dominant / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D040582:Inheritance Patterns / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000235:genetics*; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D012737:Sex Factors
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones