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Adult onset familial hemiplegic migraine
1Cooper Hospital, University Medical Center, UMDNJ, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden 08103, USA.
Headache
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Familial hemiplegic migraine, a genetic neurological disorder, typically appears early in life. This study details a rare case of this condition presenting with hemiplegia and headache in a 75-year-old, challenging previous understanding of its typical onset.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Genetics
Background:
- Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) is a rare subtype of migraine with aura.
- It is characterized by hemiplegic migraine attacks and is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.
- FHM has been linked to mutations in specific genes and mapped to chromosome 19.
Observation:
- Previous literature suggests FHM typically manifests in early childhood.
- This report describes a unique case of FHM presenting in a 75-year-old patient.
- The patient experienced recurrent episodes of reversible hemiplegia followed by headache.
Findings:
- The patient's family members also exhibited similar symptoms, confirming a familial pattern.
- This case represents the first documented instance of familial hemiplegic migraine with a late-life onset.
- The genetic basis and phenotypic variability of FHM are highlighted.
Implications:
- This finding expands the known clinical spectrum and age of onset for familial hemiplegic migraine.
- It suggests that genetic factors in FHM may allow for later presentation than previously thought.
- Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms underlying late-onset FHM and its genetic underpinnings.