title: Analysis of the MTHFR C677T variant with migraine phenotypes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variant C677T has been implicated as a genetic risk factor in migraine susceptibility, particularly in Migraine with Aura. Migraine, with and without aura (MA and MO) have many diagnostic characteristics in common. It is postulated that migraine symptomatic characteristics might themselves be influenced by MTHFR. Here we analysed the clinical profile, migraine symptoms, triggers and treatments of 267 migraineurs previously genotyped for the MTHFR C677T variant. The chi-square test was used to analyse all potential relationships between genotype and migraine clinical variables. Regression analyses were performed to assess the association of C677T with all migraine clinical variables after adjusting for gender.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The homozygous TT genotype was significantly associated with MA (P < 0.0001) and unilateral head pain (P = 0.002). While the CT genotype was significantly associated with physical activity discomfort (P < 0.001) and stress as a migraine trigger (P = 0.002). Females with the TT genotype were significantly associated with unilateral head pain (P < 0.001) and females with the CT genotype were significantly associated with nausea (P < 0.001), osmophobia (P = 0.002), and the use of natural remedy for migraine treatment (P = 0.003). Conversely, male migraineurs with the TT genotype experienced higher incidences of bilateral head pain (63% vs 34%) and were less likely to use a natural remedy as a migraine treatment compared to female migraineurs (5% vs 20%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MTHFR genotype is associated with specific clinical variables of migraine including unilateral head pain, physical activity discomfort and stress.
authors.affiliation: Genomics Research Centre, School of Medical Science, Griffith University Gold Coast, PMB 50, Gold Coast Mail Centre, Queensland, Australia, 9726. l.griffiths@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Saraswathy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.forename: Natalie J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Colson
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quinlan
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Madelyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tiang
authors.forename: Larisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Haupt
authors.forename: Rod A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lea
authors.forename: Lyn R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Griffiths