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)

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

Migraine is a common form of the chronic headache syndromes. Although the pathogenesis of migraine still remains enigmatic, there have been remarkable progress in headache research. Point mutations of P/Q-type Ca2+ channel alpha 1 subunit (CACNA1A) gene have been identified in familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM), which linked to chromosome 19 (FHM-1, OMIM 141500). Na-K ATPase alpha2 gene has been identified as the causative gene for FHM linked to 1q21-23 (FHM-2, OMIM 602481). Common forms of migraine (i.e. migraine with and without aura) seems to be caused from multifactorial genetic factors and environmental factors. An association study of allelic variation at Codon 23 (Cys or Ser) of 5HT2C-R gene in Japanese samples revealed that the Ser allele frequency in migraine with aura was significantly higher than that in the non-headache controls. However, negative association of this polymorphism have been reported in Caucasian migrainures. The C677T allelic variation of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are focused on in association with the coronary heart diseases and the cerebrovascular diseases. The T allelic frequency in migraine sufferers was significantly higher than that in controls. The C677T mutation of MTHFR is one of the genetic risk factors for migraine. These observations are confirmed in Turkish, Australian and Spanish samples. Positive associations of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene, endotheline receptor-A (ET-A) gene, and insulin receptor gene have been reported. Using the genomewide screen technology, significant linkage between the migraine with aura and a marker on 4q24 has been reported in Finnish families. The genome wide screen analysis will be one of the powerful strategies on exploring migraine gene. Genetic study of migraine headache is a promised and fruitful field and will provide deep understanding to migraine headache. Discovery of new responsible or susceptible genes to migraine will also open an avenue to develop new therapeutic strategy of migraine.
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PMID:[An update on the familial headache syndromes]. 1565 39

Cervical-artery dissection (CAD) is a major cause of cerebral ischaemia in young adults and can lead to various clinical symptoms, some of which are benign (eg, headache, neck pain, Horner's syndrome, and cranial-nerve palsy), but most patients have a stroke or transient ischaemic attack. In addition to trauma to the neck, other risk factors have been suggested, such as infection, migraine, hyperhomocysteinaemia, and the 677TT genotype of the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR 677TT), although evidence is sparse. An underlying arteriopathy, which could in part be genetically determined, is believed to have a role in the development of CAD. Importantly, both research on and optimum management of CAD strongly rely on diagnostic accuracy. Although the functional outcome of CAD is good in most patients, socioprofessional effects can be important. Incidence of the disorder in the general population is underestimated. Mortality and short-term recurrence rates are low but possibly also underestimated. Further research is warranted to improve our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, to assess the long-term outcome, and ultimately to provide treatment and prevention strategies.
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PMID:Cervical-artery dissections: predisposing factors, diagnosis, and outcome. 1953 38

Migraine is the most common form of headache disorder globally. The etiology of migraine is multifactorial, with genetic components and environmental interactions considered to be the main causal factors. Some researchers postulate that deficits in mitochondrial energy reserves can cause migraine or an increase in homocysteine levels can lead to migraine attacks; therefore, vitamins could play a vital role in migraine prevention. For instance, riboflavin influences mitochondrial dysfunction and prevents migraine. Genes such as flavoenzyme 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), especially the C677T variant, have been associated with elevated plasma levels of homocysteine and migraine with aura. Homocysteine catalyzation requires the presence of vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid, which can decrease the severity of migraine with aura, making these vitamins potentially useful prophylactic agents for treating migraine with aura. Menstrual migraine, on the other hand, is associated with increased prostaglandin (PG) levels in the endometrium, indicating a role for vitamin E, which is an anti-PG. Vitamin C can also be used as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species for treating neurogenic inflammation in migraine patients. This paper reviews possible therapies based on vitamin supplementation for migraine prophylaxis, focusing on migraine with aura and menstrual migraine.
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PMID:Vitamin supplementation as possible prophylactic treatment against migraine with aura and menstrual migraine. 2581 19