title: Blood gene expression studies in migraine: Potential and caveats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Global gene expression analysis may be used to obtain insights into the functional processes underlying migraine. However, there is a shortage of high-quality post-mortem brain tissue samples for genetic analysis. One approach is to use a more accessible tissue as a surrogate, such as peripheral blood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Discuss the benefits and caveats of blood genomic profiling in migraine and its potential application in the development of biomarkers of migraine susceptibility and outcome. Demonstrate the utility of blood-based expression profiles in migraine by analysing pilot Illumina HT-12 expression data from 76 (38 case, 38 control) whole-blood samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current evidence suggests peripheral blood is a biologically valid substrate for genetic studies of migraine, and may be used to identify biomarkers and therapeutic pathways. Pilot blood gene expression data confirm that expression profiles significantly differ between migraine case and non-migraine control individuals.
authors: Statistical and Genomic Epidemiology Laboratory, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Zachary
authors: Z
authors: Gerring
authors: Statistical and Genomic Epidemiology Laboratory, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Astrid J
authors: AJ
authors: Rodriguez-Acevedo
authors: Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia The Centre for Neurogenetics and Statistical Genomics, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Joseph E
authors: JE
authors: Powell
authors: Genomics Research Centre, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Lyn R
authors: LR
authors: Griffiths
authors: Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Grant W
authors: GW
authors: Montgomery
authors: Statistical and Genomic Epidemiology Laboratory, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia d.nyholt@qut.edu.au.
authors: Dale R
authors: DR
authors: Nyholt
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Migraine; association; biomarkers; blood; expression; gene; genomic profiling; mRNA