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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache

Published on: June 2, 2014

Metabolic and genetic risk factors for migraine in children

F Bottini1, M E Celle, M G Calevo

  • 1Thrombosis and Haemostasis Unit, Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Giannina Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy.

Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|May 12, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Migraine in children is linked to higher homocysteine and lower folate levels, suggesting biochemical factors, not genetic prothrombotic conditions, may play a role in young migraine patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Migraine is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in young individuals.
  • The precise relationship between migraine and stroke remains largely unknown.
  • Understanding these links is crucial for early intervention and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential link between migraine and stroke in children.
  • To examine biochemical markers (homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12) and genetic factors in young migraine patients.
  • To identify risk factors associated with migraine in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 45 children with migraine and a control group.
  • Analysis of fasting and post-methionine load homocysteine levels.
  • Assays for plasma vitamin B12 and folate levels.
  • Screening for genetic mutations: Factor V Leiden, Factor II G20210A, and MTHFR C677T/A1298C polymorphisms.

Main Results:

  • Migraine patients exhibited significantly higher post-methionine load homocysteine levels compared to controls (P=0.025).
  • Patients with migraine showed significantly lower plasma folate levels than controls (P=0.002).
  • A trend towards increased migraine risk was observed in subjects with homozygous MTHFR C677T and A1298C mutations, though not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

  • Biochemical differences, specifically elevated homocysteine and reduced folate, are associated with migraine in children.
  • Genetic prothrombotic conditions do not appear to be a significant risk factor for migraine in this pediatric cohort.
  • Further research into the biochemical pathways underlying migraine in young individuals is warranted.

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