You have migraines – and so does your mother and sister. If this is you and you are suspecting that your migraine might have some genetic underpinning, you are right. Research suggests that up to 60% of your migraine risk is inherited.
What is Migraine caused by?
Migraine is a complex neurological disorder where one suffers from recurrent episodes of moderate to severe headache. This is often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, light sensitivity, visual disturbances and difficulty concentrating. This is caused by alterations in the brain activity, nerve signalling and blood vessel function. Patients who are genetically predisposed to migraines may have headaches that may be triggered by an external factor such as sleep disruption, stress, food or environmental alterations.
Which genes are involved?
Most migraines are polygenic in nature. This means that one can have multiple genes (each adding a small amount of risk) that increases his or her susceptibility to developing migraines. These genes influence the activity of the brain cells, brain vasculature and pain signalling. However, some rare subtypes of migraines (e.g. familial hemiplegic migraine) are linked to a single gene mutation.
Why does Migraine run in the family?
Migraines run in the family because we inherit genes from our parents. We receive one set of genes from our father and another from our mother. Some of the evidence that make it compelling that migraine has a genetic origin include:
- If one parent has migraine, a child has a 40-50% chance of developing it.
- If both parents have migraines, a child has a 70-75% chance of developing it.
- If you have a sibling with migraine, your chance of having a migraine is about 25%.
- If you have an identical twin with a migraine, your chance of having a migraine is about 80%. In contrast, if you have a fraternal twin with migraine, your chance of having a migraine is about 25%.
What are the implications of knowing the genetic link?
Currently, the primary implication of understanding the genetic link to migraine is in aiding diagnosis. If you experience headaches and have close family members who suffer from migraines, it increases the likelihood that your headaches are also migraine-related, even though your headaches may not come with all the classic symptoms of migraines.
Looking ahead, further understanding of the genetic underpinnings of migraines may enable researchers to develop gene-targeted therapies. These treatments offer the potential for more effective migraine treatments and in the future, gene-editing approaches could even provide a cure for migraines.
If you suspect that you have migraines, visit Alleviate Pain Clinic at Farrer Park Hospital. Dr Christopher Liu is a well-respected pain specialist with extensive experience in headaches and facial pain.
