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

Mark W Weatherall1, Anish Bahra

  • 1Princess Margaret Migraine Clinic, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK. mark.weatherall@doctors.org.uk

Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|October 20, 2010
PubMed

Insights

This study reports the first familial hemicrania continua case in a mother and daughter. Both responded to indometacin, suggesting a genetic link in this primary headache disorder.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Genetics
  • Pain Medicine

Background:

  • Familial hemiplegic migraine has three known causative genes.
  • Genetic predisposition is increasingly recognized for migraine with/without aura and cluster headache.
  • Primary headache disorders often have a genetic component.

Observation:

  • Presents the first reported case of familial hemicrania continua.
  • A mother and daughter developed hemicrania continua concurrently.
  • Both patients experienced migraine with aura.

Findings:

  • Both mother and daughter exhibited an absolute response to indometacin at similar dosages.
  • This case suggests a potential genetic basis for hemicrania continua.
  • The shared symptomology and treatment response indicate a possible inherited link.

Implications:

  • Supports the hypothesis of a genetic predisposition in primary headache disorders.
  • Highlights the role of genetic factors in the dysfunction of the brain's pain system.
  • Further research into the genetics of hemicrania continua is warranted.

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