Abstract
BackgroundMigraine is a complex neurological disorder that is considered the most common disabling brain disorder affecting 14 % of people worldwide. The present study sought to infer potential causal relationships between self-reported migraine and other complex traits, using genetic data and a hypothesis-free approach.MethodsWe leveraged available summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of 1,504 phenotypes and self-reported migraine and inferred pair-wise causal relationships using the latent causal variable (LCV) method.ResultsWe identify 18 potential causal relationships between self-reported migraine and other complex traits. Hypertension and blood clot formations were causally associated with an increased migraine risk, possibly through vasoconstriction and platelet clumping. We observed that sources of abdominal pain and discomfort might influence a higher risk for migraine. Moreover, occupational and environmental factors such as working with paints, thinner or glues, and being exposed to diesel exhaust were causally associated with higher migraine risk. Psychiatric-related phenotypes, including stressful life events, increased migraine risk. In contrast, ever feeling unenthusiastic / disinterested for a whole week, a phenotype related to the psychological well-being of individuals, was a potential outcome of migraine.ConclusionsOverall, our results suggest a potential vascular component to migraine, highlighting the role of vasoconstriction and platelet clumping. Stressful life events and occupational variables potentially influence a higher migraine risk. Additionally, a migraine could impact the psychological well-being of individuals. Our findings provide novel testable hypotheses for future studies that may inform the design of new interventions to prevent or reduce migraine risk and recurrence.
Highlights
Migraine is a complex neurological disorder characterised by intense, debilitating headaches on one side ofA migraine episode is commonly composed of three stages [1, 3, 6, 7]
Our results show that self-reported migraine influences an increase in the intake of the analgesic Paracetamol
A higher self-reported migraine risk is influenced by traits involving the use of various medications such as, Clopidogrel, which is an antiplatelet drug, and Felodipine commonly prescribed for hypertension (Fig. 1; Table 1)
Summary
Migraine is a complex neurological disorder characterised by intense, debilitating headaches on one side ofA migraine episode is commonly composed of three stages [1, 3, 6, 7]. During the prodromal phase, which can last from a couple of hours to several days, individuals may experience fatigue, lack of concentration, García-Marín et al The Journal of Headache and Pain (2021) 22:66 excessive yawning, irritability, neck stiffness, light sensitivity, and nausea [1, 3, 6, 7]. Horizontal pleiotropy, and sample overlap, are known to bias estimates and increase the possibility of false-positive findings in genetic epidemiology studies using traditional methods, such as Mendelian randomisation, to assess causality [10, 11]. The present study sought to infer potential causal relationships between self-reported migraine and other complex traits, using genetic data and a hypothesis-free approach
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