title: Frequency of the C677T variant of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in patients with migraine with or without aura - a preliminary report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of the C677T variant in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in patients with migraine with or without aura and to find an association between this variant and vascular lesions in magnetic resonance imaging of the head, presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) and increased level of homocysteine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-one patients with migraine, aged 19-57, were investigated in this study. The MTHFR C677T variant was genotyped in this group and levels of homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 were measured. Transcranial Doppler sonography with test for PFO detection by injection of air contrast during the Valsalva manoeuvre was performed in each patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Frequency of the C677T variant in the MTHFR gene was similar in patients and controls. Hyperhomocysteinaemia was significantly more frequent in migraine patients with the C677T variant. The prevalence of PFO was significantly higher in migraine patients with aura and the homozygous variant of the MTHFR gene.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Frequency of the C677T variant in the MTHFR gene was similar in patients and controls. Significantly more frequent prevalence of PFO in migraine patients with aura (with homozygous recessive genotype of MTHFR probably suggests their common genetic basis. Hyperhomocysteinaemia was significantly more frequent in migraine patients with the C677T variant, which could be an additional risk factor of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Oddział Neurologii SPSK nr 7, Slaski Uniwersytet Medyczny, ul. Ziołowa 45-47, 40-635 Katowice.
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Szczygioł
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Motta
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gołba
authors.forename: Arkadiusz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stęposz
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Witecka
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dębski
authors.forename: Daria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Błaszkiewicz
authors.forename: Aleksander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sieroń
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D060005:Genotyping Techniques; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020325:Migraine with Aura / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine; C573423:MTHFR protein, human; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)