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Published on: June 2, 2014
Familial migraine with aura: association study with 5-HT1B/1D, 5-HT2C, and hSERT polymorphisms
Marco Racchi1, Massimo Leone, Emanuela Porrello
1Department of Applied and Experimental Pharmacology, University of Pavia, Italy.
Background:
The serotonergic system has a significant role in the pathophysiology and pharmacology of migraine.
Objective:
To study the association between the occurrence of migraine with aura and 5-HT(1B/1D) and 5-HT(2C) receptor gene and the human serotonin transporter (hSERT) gene polymorphisms in 18 unrelated families with multiple affected members.
Method:
Two polymorphisms in the 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor gene and one polymorphism in the 5-HT(2C) receptor gene were studied by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Allelic variation of the hSERT, with 9, 10, and 12 copies of a "repetitive element," was studied by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the variable number tandem repeat region.
Results:
Allelic distribution of 5-HT(1B/1D) and 5-HT(2C) receptor gene polymorphisms in affected patients did not differ in either of the control groups (unaffected relatives or unrelated healthy individuals). A trend toward a significant effect of the 12-repeat hSERT allele as a risk factor for migraine with aura versus unrelated controls was observed.
Conclusion:
Our data do not support the involvement of 5-HT(1B/1D) and 5-HT(2C) receptor gene polymorphisms in migraine with aura, yet do suggest a possible role for a locus at or near the hSERT gene in the susceptibility to migraine with aura.
