Familial hemiplegic migraine treated by sodium valproate and lamotrigine.
BACKGROUND
Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) is a rare monogenic subtype of migraine with aura that includes motor auras. Prophylactic treatment of FHM often has marginal effects and involves a trial-and-error strategy based on therapeutic guidelines for non-hemiplegic migraine and on case reports in FHM.


METHODS
We assessed the response to prophylactic medication in an FHM family and sequenced the FHM2 ATP1A2 gene in all available relatives.


RESULTS
A novel p.Met731Val ATP1A2 mutation was identified. Attack frequency was reduced significantly with sodium valproate monotherapy (n = 1) and attacks ceased completely with a combination of sodium valproate and lamotrigine (n = 2).


CONCLUSIONS
We report dramatic prophylactic effects of sodium valproate and lamotrigine in an FHM2 family, making these drugs worth considering in the treatment of other FHM patients.
Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.
Nadine
N
Pelzer
Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.
Anine H
AH
Stam
Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands Department of Neurology, Tergooi Hospitals, the Netherlands.
Johannes A
JA
Carpay
Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.
Boukje de
BD
Vries
Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.
Arn Mjm
AM
van den Maagdenberg
Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.
Michel D
MD
Ferrari
Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands Department of Neurology, Rijnland Hospital, the Netherlands.
Joost
J
Haan
Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands G.M.Terwindt@lumc.nl.
Gisela M
GM
Terwindt
Migraine; anticonvulsants; familial hemiplegic migraine; ion transport; neurogenetics