Deeper into the DNA

We know now that at least some types of migraine have a genetic basis.  But that’s a long way from a treatment.  What exactly is going on?  Why do some people get migraine, and not others?  Why do some drugs work on some people, while they’re useless on others?

Dr. Rhoda Blostein is a medical scientist at the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Quebec Canada.  She knew of a number of mutations that seem to result in migraine.  But what exactly are these mutations doing?  Dr. Blostein and her team discovered that some of these mutations are changing the way a certain cellular mechanism works.

The mechanism is commonly called the "Sodium Pump".  The pump removes sodium and pulls in potassium, and uses up a lot of energy in the process.  The genetic mutations are making the pump less efficient.  This is unusual, because normally a genetic problem would shut down the process, not just change it.

This change relates to the way electrical impulses are transmitted.  Dr. Blostein says,"Much of what happens in your brain–from memory to basic movement–is the result of the transmission of electrical impulses along nerve cells."  This change seems to be causing problems for migraineurs.

Discoveries like this are bringing us closer and closer to better, more targeted treatments for migraine and related diseases.  Keep up the good work, Dr. Blostein!