Pain Solutions: Genetic aspects of migraine headaches
Virginia R. Nash DNP, PMHCNS-BC
Elizabeth L. Pestka MS, PMNCNS-BC, APNG

$3.95 		The Nurse Practitioner: The American Journal of Primary Health Care
May 2013 
Volume 38  Number 5
Pages 12 - 13
 
  PDF Version Available!

ABSTRACT
Up to 90% of people with migraines have a family history of the condition.1 Research suggests that genetic contributions to migraine headaches with and without aura are complex-that is, there is no single contributing gene-and are influenced by environmental factors (see Types of migraines with genetic causes). Although migraines are not conclusively linked to any single genes, several susceptibility locations have been identified in genome-wide screens and candidate studies.2,3Migraines have been investigated in family and twin studies, with results of twin studies suggesting about 50% heritability. In other words, inherited genetic factors are about 50% responsible for migraines in people identified as having the condition.2 Migraines with aura (perceptual disturbances before headache onset) have a stronger familial genetic link. The relative risk, or probability of migraines occurring in a person with a family history of the condition, is about three times greater for migraines with aura compared to migraines without aura.2One rare, serious type, familial hemiplegic migraine, is transmitted in an autosomal dominant method of inheritance (50% chance of passing toan offspring), and is linked to mutations in the calcium channel gene CACNA1A on chromosome 19and the sodium/potassium pump gene ATP1A2 on chromosome 1.2,3 Attacks of familial hemiplegic migraine usually include an aura andare frequently characterized by motor symptoms, including unilateral weakness or paralysis and impaired consciousness, seizures, and fever.2Migraines affect 15% to 33% of adult women and 6% to 15% of adult men,although these percentages are likely low due to underreporting.4 About 4% of children get migraines, with the condition more common in girls than boys.4 Hormonal changes may be the reason that women aremore likely to get migraines than men. Women with a history of migraines often report headaches before or during their menstrual cycle, when they have a major drop inestrogen. Other

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