How Genes are Involved in Migraines?

Migraines are a pain in the head and the hip pocket, but newly discovered genetic causes by QUT researchers could lead the way to new preventative drugs and therapies.

Migraine was estimated to cost the Australian economy $35.7 billion each year and current treatments failed up to 50 percent of migraine patients.

About Migraine
Migraine is a chronic disorder characterized by headache, nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light and sound.

‘Migraines caused by alterations in metabolite levels can be prevented by developing new therapies.’

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Genetic analyses findings published in The American Journal of Human Genetics identified causal genetic links to three blood metabolite levels that increase migraine risk.

Metabolites are substances made or used when the body breaks down food, drugs, or chemicals during metabolism. The three blood metabolites levels involved are:

• Lower levels of DHA, an omega-3 known to reduce inflammation

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• Higher levels of LPE(20:4), a chemical that blocks an anti-inflammatory molecule

• Lower levels of a third, currently uncharacterized metabolite, named X–11315.

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Variations in blood levels of metabolites can be due to diet, lifestyle, and genetics, but they are easy to measure and may be modified using diet planning and supplementation.

People with migraines had higher levels of shorter-length fatty acids except for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a very-long-chain omega-3 that protects against migraine.

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Migraine is a severely debilitating neurological disorder that impairs the normal functioning of patients. Incorporation of high levels of fish fats in food could soothe the intense migraine headache.

Fatty acids are made up of more complex lipids that help with cell signaling, cell membrane composition, and gene expression, influencing the disease risk.

Lower levels of DHA are associated with inflammation, cardiovascular and brain disorders, such as depression, which is all linked to migraine risk.

Whereas LPE(20:4) was a chemical compound that blocked the production of an anti-inflammatory molecule called anandamide. If the production of anandamide is controlled, it can reduce inflammation and prevent migraine.

The lower blood levels of a third metabolite named X–11315 also increased the risk of migraine, and that characterizing was an area of future research.

These genetic links could be targeted by future research and clinical trials to develop and test compounds that influenced metabolite levels and prevent migraine.

Source-Medindia