GENETIC-BASIS OF MIGRAINE

Rapid technological advances in the field of molecular generics are be ing applied successfully to the analysis of migraine. Specific mutatio ns leading to an increased risk of rare forms of migraine have been id entified in both mitochondrial DNA and a calcium channel gene. Associa tion studies have demonstrated that polymorphic variations in serotone rgic and dopaminergic genes may alter the clinical susceptibility to m igraine. Massive amounts of additional genetic data relating to migrai ne will be generated in the next few years. These data are revolutioni zing the diagnosis and management of migraine, a heretofore subjective clinical disorder. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.