Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism in migraine

Abstract

Background The pathophysiology of migraine is influenced by many factors. Multiple genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the etiology of migraine. The beneficial effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor drugs on migraine attack frequency have been shown, and hence ACE gene polymorphism was studied for its possible effect on migrainous patients. Objective We aimed to study the relationship between the ACE gene polymorphism and migraine pathophysiology. Patients and methods The ACE genotypes of 30 migraine patients (17 cases of migraine without aura and 13 cases of migraine with aura) and 30 age-matched and sex-matched normal volunteers as a control group were studied. All patients were subjected to full clinical assessment to calculate the score on the Migraine Disability Assessment Test as an indicator of the severity of migraine and its impact on the patient life. Results The frequency of DD genotype of ACE gene was significantly higher in migraine patients, including both cases of migraine with aura and those without aura compared with the control group, but no association was found between any of the genotypes of ACE gene and the degree of migraine severity or disability. Conclusion ACE gene polymorphism may confer risk for the occurrence of migraine attacks, without affecting the symptomology or the severity of migraine.