Trigeminal neuralgia and genetics: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Genetics
• Pain Research

Background:

• Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a debilitating facial pain condition with unknown etiology and genetic basis.
• Familial forms of TN are rare, with limited data on prevalence and contributing genes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review existing knowledge on the genetics of trigeminal neuralgia.
• To determine the prevalence of familial TN and identify genes implicated in human and animal studies.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (MedLine, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science) up to January 2021.
• Seventy-one studies were included in the review, analyzing human genetic studies and animal models of trigeminal pain.

Main Results:

• Familial TN accounts for approximately 1-2% of all TN cases.
• Several genes (e.g., CACNA1A, SCN9A, MAOA) are proposed as potential contributors to TN development in humans.
• Animal models indicate a role for genetics in trigeminal pain, potentially more relevant to neuropathic pain.

Conclusions:

• Genetic factors are likely more significant in TN pathogenesis than previously understood.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the specific roles of identified genes in familial TN.