Genome-wide association studies in migraine: current state and route to follow

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed over a dozen genetic factors robustly associated with the common forms of migraine. The identification of these factors, the implicated biological mechanisms, and whether they are of use in basic research and clinic practice will be discussed.

Several GWAS have been performed in recent years. New approaches are being tested to identify how information of genetic susceptibility factors can be used in research and the clinic. Still, we are only at the beginning of understanding how the genetic factors may be involved in migraine pathophysiology.

The identification of genetic factors that confer risk for the common forms of migraine by GWAS has given insight into the genetic underpinning of migraine pathophysiology. Still, the interpretation of the findings of GWAS is not straightforward. Various strategies are being tested to investigate which pathophysiological mechanisms are involved, how they can be studied, and what this means for clinical diagnosis, and even care.