FAMILIAL MIGRAINE WITH VERTIGO - NO MUTATIONS FOUND IN CACNA1A

We searched for mutations in the voltage-gated calcium channel gene, C ACNA1A in nine propositi of families with migraine headaches and episo dic vertigo inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. All 47 exons a nd flanking introns in CACNA1A were subjected to single-strand conform ation polymorphism analysis of polymerase chain reaction-amplified gen omic DNA. Exons with aberrantly migrating fragments were sequenced usi ng standard techniques. We also determined the CAG repeat length at th e 3' end of CACNA1A. Several polymorphisms were found but no mutations identified in any of the 47 exons of the 9 patients. No index-case ha d a CAG repeat length greater than 13 (normal <17). Mutations in CACNA 1A are not common in families with migraine headaches and episodic ver tigo. Other ion channel genes expressed in the brain and inner ear rem ain candidate genes. Am. J. Med. Genet. 79:148-151, 1998. (C) 1998 Wil ey-Liss, Inc.