title: The role of the MTHFR gene in migraine.
abstract: Migraine is a common neurological disorder and is characterized by debilitating head pain and an assortment of additional symptoms which can include nausea, emesis, photophobia, phonophobia, and occasionally, visual sensory disturbances. A number of genes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of this disease, including genes involved in regulating the vascular system. Of particular importance are the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and the role it plays in migraine with aura. Migraine with aura has previously been shown to have a significant comorbidity with stroke, making the vascular class of genes a priority for migraine studies. In this report, we outline the importance of the MTHFR gene in migraine and also discuss the use of a genetic isolate to investigate MTHFR genetic variants. From this study, 3 MTHFR single nucleotide polymorphisms showing association with migraine in the Norfolk Island population have been identified, thus reinforcing the potential role of MTHFR in migraine susceptibility. Further studies will continue to build a gene profile of variants involved in the complex disease migraine and improve understanding of the underlying genetic causes of this disorder.
authors.affiliation: Genomics Research Centre, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Shani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.forename: Hannah C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Rod A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lea
authors.forename: Lyn R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)