Large International Migraine Genetic Study

Last month a report was published on a large international genetic study that is giving us more clues in the world of migraine genetics.

The study, published in Nature Genetics, included 102,084 migraine cases and 771,257 controls. 123 “loci” were identified – that is, the locations on a chromosome, that seem to be connected with either migraine or migraine with aura. Here are a few of the findings:

• 123 loci is a big increase from what we knew before. 86 were previously unidentified.
• The study did specifically split up two main migraine types – with and without aura. And there does seem to be a difference. Some genetics risks seem to be specific to one or the other. That not only means a biological difference, but possible future specific treatments.
• Researchers found new evidence for treatments we already have – CGRP related drugs. In their words, “Our findings also include new risk loci containing target genes of recent migraine drugs acting on the CGRP pathway and the serotonin 5-HT1F receptor.”
• The new study confirms again that migraine is “polygenic”. That is, it probably arises from multiple causes.
• The loci especially related to the central nervous system (CNS) and the vascular system. That provides further confirmation that migraine is a neurovascular disease – that is, related both to the neurological system and blood vessels.
• Although not as strong as the CNS and vascular connections, the study also found some connection to the digestive system and ovary tissue, suggesting a possible connection with these systems as well.

As mentioned above, this type of research not only helps us better understand migraine, it may also lead to genetic testing, better treatments, and even migraine-type specific treatments. But as the researchers note, although our study of genetics has come a long way, it still has a long way to go.

You can read the technical details and discussion from the researchers here: Genome-wide analysis of 102,084 migraine cases identifies 123 risk loci and subtype-specific risk alleles

For a good summary of the study, check out ScienceDaily: Largest genetic study of migraine to date reveals new genetic risk factors