Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0018681 (headache)
 56,091 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The focus of this review is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with continuous oral 17 beta-estradiol (herein referred to as estradiol) 2 mg/day plus sequential oral dydrogesterone 10 or 20 mg/day for 14 days of each 28-day cycle. According to data from nonblind trials, this regimen relieves climacteric symptoms, preserves bone mineral density (BMD) and improves the cardiovascular risk profile in postmenopausal women. Increases in mean BMD in the lumbar spine of 2.4 to 6.4% have been reported after 2 years' treatment. The effect on BMD of oral estradiol plus sequential dydrogesterone was similar to that achieved with transdermal estradiol plus sequential oral dydrogesterone or with oral tibolone. Good protection against endometrial hyperplasia and cancer is provided by the dydrogesterone component. Cyclical vaginal bleeding occurs in most treatment cycles, but is generally light to moderate and the time of onset is highly predictable. Noncyclical bleeding occurs in < 10% of cycles. Mean serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels are increased and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels are decreased during treatment with oral estradiol plus sequential dydrogesterone. Insulin resistance appears to be improved. Blood pressure and bodyweight are not generally affected to any clinically important extent. Serum homocysteine levels were reported to decrease in postmenopausal women with high pretreatment levels. No data are available on the general tolerability profile of this regimen. However, the adverse events that most commonly led to discontinuation of treatment in clinical trials were typical of those associated with HRT, including vaginal bleeding headache, bloating and breast tenderness. Although the risk of breast cancer has not been specifically assessed for this regimen, it is unlikely to carry a greater risk than that of other HRT regimens. In summary available data indicate that treatment with continuous oral estradiol plus sequential dydrogesterone is effective in relieving climacteric symptoms and preserving BMD in postmenopausal women. The dydrogesterone component provides good endometrial protection and cycle control without negating the cardiovascular benefits of estradiol. Comparisons with other standard HRT regimens and long term data (including clinical end-points) are needed. In the meantime, this regimen can be regarded as an acceptable HRT option.
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PMID:Estradiol and dydrogesterone. A review of their combined use as hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women. 934 60

Increased homocysteine levels are associated with various pathological conditions in humans, including stroke and cardiovascular disorders. Homocysteine acts as an excitatory amino acid in vivo and may influence the threshold of migraine headache. Frosst et al. [1995] reported an association between the homozygous C677T mutation in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and serum homocysteine levels. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of the MTHFR mutation in Japanese patients with migraine and tension-type headache (TH). Seventy-four patients with migraine headaches (22 with aura and 52 without aura), 47 with THs, and 261 normal controls were recruited. Genotyping of MTHFR C677T polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. We detected that the incidence of the homozygous transition (T/T) in migraine sufferers (20.3%) was significantly higher than that in controls (9.6%). Moreover, the frequency of the T/T genotype in individuals with migraine headaches with aura was remarkably high (40.9%). The MTHFR T allele was more frequent in the migraine group than in the control group. Our results support the conclusion that the MTHFR gene, causing mild hyperhomocysteinemia may be a genetic risk factor for migraine. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Neuropsychiatr. Genet.) 96:762-764, 2000.
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PMID:The homozygous C677T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene is a genetic risk factor for migraine. 1112 Nov 76

Homocystinuria presenting as cerebral venous thrombosis is not usual. We report on a 13-year-old boy who was admitted to the hospital due to severe headache, nausea, vomiting and fever (38 degrees C). The patient was Marfan like and presented left hemiparesis and meningeal irritation sings. He was mentally retarded, had severe myopia, and had right lens dislocation one month before. Cranial CT scan was suggestive of cerebral venous infarct. MRI and magnetic resonance angiography showed venous infarcts more prominent in the right thalamic projection with hemorrhagic transformation and multiple foci of cortical (occipital and parietal bilaterally) deep parietal and left capsular bleeding, secondary of thrombosis of the transverse and sigmoid venous sinuses. High levels of homocysteine were detected in the blood and urine. Homocystinuria is an autosomal recessive inborn error of methionine metabolism caused by cystathionine-beta-synthase defect in most cases. We discuss the clinical and radiological findings in this patient, analyzing the pathophysiology of the thrombotic events related to homocystinuria.
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PMID:[Cerebral venous thrombosis and homocystinuria: case report]. 1159 91

Methotrexate-induced neurotoxicity (MTX-Ntox) is a frequent complication of methotrexate (MTX) therapy for patients with both malignant and inflammatory diseases. MTX-Ntox can occur after intrathecal MTX or after low-, intermediate-, or high-dose systemic administration. Symptoms can present in the acute, subacute, or late setting form, and can range from affective disorders, malaise, and headaches, to somnolence, focal neurologic deficits, and seizures. While the pathogenesis of MTX-Ntox is likely multifactorial, one potential biochemical pathway leading from MTX to neurotoxicity involves the folate dependent remethylation of homocysteine (Hcy). MTX therapy is known to cause elevations of both plasma and CSF Hcy. Hcy is directly toxic to vascular endothelium and it and its metabolites are excitatory agonists of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Competitive or noncompetitive antagonists might afford protection from or reversal of MTX-Ntox. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with coulometric electrochemical detection, the authors measured CSF Hcy in sequential patients with severe subacute MTX-Ntox. CSF Hcy was higher in these patients (n = 9, median = 0.93 microM) than in asymptomatic patients (n = 11, median 0.2 microM, p < .01). Five patients with severe subacute MTX-Ntox (most with dysarthria and/or hemiplegia) were treated with 1-2 mg/kg oral dextromethorphan (DM), a noncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl-1-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. All five had resolution of symptoms. These data provide additional clinical support for elevated CSF Hcy in the induction of MTX-Ntox through activation of the NMDA-receptor. These data provide support for a placebo-controlled clinical trial to examine the ability of DM to prevent or alleviate MTX-Ntox.
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PMID:Dextromethorphan is effective in the treatment of subacute methotrexate neurotoxicity. 1207 63

We describe four pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis and review the pediatric and adult literature on the treatment of sinovenous thrombosis. All of our patients had headache as the initial complaint with onset during an ulcerative colitis flare. Evaluation for hypercoagulable states revealed heterozygosity for prothrombin gene mutation and increased homocysteine level in one patient and mild elevation of anticardiolipin antibodies in two patients. Treatment in the acute period included thrombolysis, heparin, and low-molecular-weight heparin. Chronic therapy included warfarin, low-molecular-weight heparin, and aspirin. Peripheral vein thrombosis occurred in two patients while not on antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy. Neurologic outcome was positive in this series without complications of therapy, suggesting that aggressive therapy should be considered. Although anticoagulation therapy of sinovenous thrombosis is controversial, particularly in the context of intestinal hemorrhage, it can be beneficial given the possibility of an ongoing hypercoagulable state.
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PMID:Anticoagulation therapy in cerebral sinovenous thrombosis and ulcerative colitis in children. 1226 25

Although controversial, diminished activity of 5,10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), a regulatory enzyme of homocysteine metabolism, may predispose to migraine in Turkish people. In a case-control study, we determined the prevalence of two common MTHFR polymorphisms,C677T and A1298C, in 102 migraine patients (23 migraine with aura, 70 migraine without aura and nine with tension-type headache) and compared it to that of 136 healthy controls. The frequencies of the T allele of MTHFR677 and the C allele of MTHFR1298 were significantly higher in the total migraine population (33.82%, 33.82%) than in controls (25.38% and 24.26%), respectively. The genotypes T677T and C1298C were the only genotypes significantly associated with migraine (OR=5.702; 95% CI=1.184-27.457; P=0.015) and (OR=8.933; 95% CI=1.953-40.869; P=0.001), respectively). Individuals with migraine with aura with C1298C and C677C/C1298C genotypes were even more profoundly associated with migraine risk than others (OR=14.105; 95% CI=2.417-82.320; P=0.0001) and (OR=10.050; 95% CI=1.580-63.907; P=0.003), respectively. However individuals with migraine without aura with T677T and C1298C genotypes showed the same susceptibility (OR=7.444; 95% CI=1.503-36.863); P=0.005). Patients with C1298C and C677C/C1298C genotypes may also predispose to tension-type headache (OR=8.375; 95% CI=0.685-102.458); P=0.049).
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PMID:Association of the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in the 5,10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene in patients with migraine risk. 1265 8

We report clinical findings, risk factors and neurological and cognitive long-term outcome in three Italian children aged 7, 8 and 5, respectively, who experienced cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). All children presented with headache, associated to nausea, vomiting and papilloedema. None suffered from epileptic seizures. In two of them a paresis of the sixth cranial nerve with diplopia was found. Diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging angiography (angio MRI) in all cases. In all patients plasma levels of protein C, protein S, antithrombin III (AT III), antiphospholipid antibodies (ApA) and homocysteine were detected. Furthermore, factor V Leiden mutation, prothrombin mutation G20210A and MTHFR mutation were searched for. A Protein C reduction was detected in all patients at onset; this finding, however, was not confirmed at follow-up in all of them. At one-year follow-up, neurological examination was normal in all children and neuropsychological assessment, aimed at excluding linguistic and non-linguistic cognitive deficits, revealed normal performances in two of them. In the third child, cognitive assessment confirmed a previously diagnosed developmental dyslexia.
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PMID:Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in childhood: clinical aspects and neurological and cognitive long-term outcome in three cases. 1562 88

Migraine can induce ischaemic stroke, and is considered an independent risk factor for stroke in the young. To date, the nature of the link between migraine and stroke is essentially unknown. Forty-five children were studied. Homocysteine levels (fasting and post methionine load), vitamin B12 and plasma folate levels, factor V Leiden, factor II G20210A, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C mutations were examined. Compared with controls, patients with migraine had higher levels of post-methionine load homocysteine values (19.5 +/- 4.9 vs. 16.9 +/- 1.9; P = 0.025) and significantly lower folate levels (5.8 +/- 2.6 vs. 7.5 +/- 2.1; P = 0.002). We found a trend toward an increased risk of migraine in subjects carrying a homozygous mutant genotype for MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms. Genetic prothrombotic conditions do not seem to be related to migraine in the young, whereas the biochemical differences between migrainous patients and controls are an appealing topic for further investigation.
Cephalalgia 2006 Jun
PMID:Metabolic and genetic risk factors for migraine in children. 1668 13

Elevated plasma homocysteine levels are associated with an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis. Herein we report a case of familial hyperhomocysteinemia-related cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in a 21-year-old man who presented with severe headache over bilateral frontal areas. Neurological examination revealed no evidence of focal neurological deficit. Chest CT showed pulmonary thromboembolism in bilateral basal lung fields and brain MRI disclosed right transverse and sigmoid venous sinus thrombosis. Routine immunological tests, coagulation factors and occult tumor screening were normal, as were vitamin B12 and folate levels. The DIC profile was negative, The only risk factor we were able to identify was an elevated serum homocysteine level, namely 46.23 microM/L. Hyperhomocysteinemia was also noted in the patient's asymptomatic elder brother (68.0 microM/L) and, to a lesser extent, in his parents (father 12.5 microM/L; mother 11.7 microM/L). In conclusion, the cause of cerebral venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in this young patient was most likely related to familial hyperhomocysteinemia, with the thromboembolic events precipitated by a preceding systemic infection. After anticoagulation therapy; the patient recovered completely without any residual neurological deficit.
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PMID:Familial hyperhomocysteinemia-related cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: a case report. 1768 34

Interictally, migraineurs have on average a reduction in habituation of pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials (PR-VEP) and in mitochondrial energy reserve. 5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in folate metabolism and its C677T polymorphism may be more prevalent in migraine. The aim of this study was to search in migraineurs for a correlation between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and the PR-VEP profile. PR-VEP were recorded in 52 genotyped migraine patients: 40 female, 24 without (MoA), 28 with aura (MA). Among them 21 had a normal genotype (CC), 18 were heterozygous (CT) and 13 homozygous (TT) for the MTHFR C677T polymorphism. Mean PR-VEP N1-P1 amplitude was significantly lower in CT compared with CC, and tended to be lower in TT with increasing age. The habituation deficit was significantly greater in CC compared with TT subjects. The correlation between the cortical preactivation level, as reflected by the VEP amplitude in the first block of averages, and habituation was stronger in CC than in CT or TT. The MTHFR C677T polymorphism could thus have an ambiguous role in migraine. On one hand, the better VEP habituation which is associated with its homozygosity, and possibly mediated by homocysteine derivatives increasing serotoninergic transmission, may protect the brain against overstimulation. On the other hand, MTHFR C677T homozygosity is linked to a reduction of grand average VEP amplitude with illness duration, which has been attributed to brain damage.
Cephalalgia 2007 Oct
PMID:Search for correlations between genotypes and electrophysiological patterns in migraine: the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and visual evoked potentials. 1771 93


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