[Familial and sporadic hemiplegic migraine]

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A Ducros1

  • 1Centre d'urgences céphalées, hôpital Lariboisière, 2, rue Ambroise-Paré, 75010 Paris, France. anne.ducros@lrb.aphp.fr

Revue Neurologique
|April 15, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Hemiplegic migraine (HM) is a rare neurological disorder causing temporary motor weakness. Genetic testing is now available for familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM), with promising new preventive treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Genetics
  • Migraine Disorders

Context:

  • Hemiplegic migraine (HM) is a rare subtype of migraine with aura.
  • Characterized by transient motor weakness during the aura phase.
  • Two forms exist: familial (FHM) and sporadic (SHM), with equal frequency.

Purpose:

  • To describe the characteristics, genetics, and treatment of hemiplegic migraine.
  • To highlight the availability of genetic diagnosis for FHM.
  • To discuss current and emerging treatment strategies.

Summary:

  • HM attacks involve motor weakness alongside other aura symptoms like sensory, visual, and speech disturbances.
  • Severe attacks can include prolonged hemiplegia, confusion, coma, fever, and seizures.
  • FHM is an autosomal dominant condition linked to ion-transporter genes (CACNA1A, ATP1A2, SCNA1).

Impact:

  • Genetic diagnosis for FHM is now feasible through gene screening.
  • Prognosis for HM is generally good.
  • While triptans are contraindicated, preventive treatments with antiepileptic agents show promise.

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