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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Association analysis of the functional monoamine oxidase A gene promotor polymorphism in migraine
M Marziniak1, R Mössner, J Benninghoff
1Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. dr.martin.marziniak@uniklinik-saarland.de
Abstract:
Migraine affects about 15% of the adult population. Serotonergic and dopaminergic systems are believed to be involved in its pathophysiology. One of the key enzymes in the degradation of serotonin and to a lesser extent of dopamine is monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A). In this study we investigated a functionally relevant gene-linked polymorphic repetitive sequence (LPR) located approximately 1.2 kb upstream of the ATG codon in the MAO-A-promotor gene. 119 patients with migraine and 229 controls were tested. The allelic distribution of the controls and the migraine patients did not show significant differences with respect to the low- and high-activity alleles. Moreover, effectiveness of the potent serotonergic antimigraine agents, triptans, which are metabolized by MAO-A, was clinically not affected by the MAO-A-LPR in our patients. These findings thus indicate that there is no association between the functional MAO-A-LPR and susceptibility to migraine.
Insights
This study found no link between a specific MAO-A gene variation and migraine susceptibility in patients. The MAO-A gene polymorphism did not affect the effectiveness of triptan medications used for migraine relief.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Migraine impacts 15% of adults, with serotonin and dopamine systems implicated in its pathophysiology.
- Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is crucial for degrading serotonin and dopamine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between a functional MAO-A gene polymorphism (MAO-A-LPR) and migraine susceptibility.
- To assess if this MAO-A polymorphism influences the clinical effectiveness of triptans.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of a MAO-A promoter polymorphism (MAO-A-LPR) in 119 migraine patients and 229 controls.
- Analysis of allelic distribution and correlation with migraine susceptibility.
- Clinical evaluation of triptan efficacy in relation to MAO-A-LPR genotype.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in the allelic distribution of MAO-A-LPR were observed between migraine patients and controls.
- The MAO-A-LPR genotype did not correlate with susceptibility to migraine.
- Triptan effectiveness was not clinically affected by the MAO-A-LPR polymorphism.
Conclusions:
- The functional MAO-A-LPR polymorphism is not associated with migraine susceptibility.
- This MAO-A gene variation does not appear to influence the therapeutic response to triptans in migraine patients.
