Abstract
The aim of our study was to investigate whether genetic variants in the hypocretin receptor 1 (HCRTR1) gene could modify the occurrence and the clinical features of migraine. Using a case–control strategy we genotyped 384 migraine patients and 259 controls for three SNPs in the HCRTR1 gene. Genotypic and allelic frequencies of the rs2271933 non-synonymous polymorphism resulted different (χ 2 = 9.872, p = 0.007; χ 2 = 8.108, p = 0.004) between migraineurs and controls. The carriage of the A allele was associated with an increased migraine risk (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.11–1.81). When we divided the migraine patients into different subgroups, the difference reached the level of statistical significance only in migraine without aura. The different genotypes had no significant effect on the examined clinical characteristics of the disease. In conclusion, our data supports the hypothesis that the HCRTR1 gene could represent a genetic susceptibility factor for migraine without aura and suggests that the hypocretin system may have a role in the pathophysiology of migraine.
Highlights
Migraine is a chronic neurovascular disease characterized by recurrent headache attacks associated with autonomic, gastrointestinal and focal neurological symptoms [1]
Our data supports the hypothesis that the hypocretin receptor 1 (HCRTR1) gene could represent a genetic susceptibility factor for migraine without aura and suggests that the hypocretin system may have a role in the pathophysiology of migraine
Analyzing the rs2271933 (1222G[A) non synonymous polymorphism, a statistical difference was found in the distribution of GF and allele frequencies (AF) between cases and controls
Summary
Migraine is a chronic neurovascular disease characterized by recurrent headache attacks associated with autonomic, gastrointestinal and focal neurological symptoms [1]. Migraine is a public health problem of great impact on both the patient and society. Migraine is rated as one of the most disabling chronic disorders by the World Health Organization. The annual cost of migraine-related loss in productivity is enormous and it has been estimated to be the most costly neurological disorder in Europe [3]. Migraine is a complex disorder that shows a strong (up to 50%) genetic component with a probable multifactorial inheritance [4]. The success of FHM, regarding discovery of genetic defects associated with the disease, remains elusive in the common forms of migraine, and causative genes have not been identified yet [6]
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