Clinical susceptibility to migraine with aura is modified by dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) NcoI alleles.

Abstract

Migraine has a major genetic component. Although most recent scientific studies have focused on the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine and neuropeptides in migraine, dopaminergic systems are also implicated in the pathogenesis. Therefore, the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) was analyzed as a candidate gene since antagonists of this receptor have been reported to be effective in the acute treatment of migraine. Individuals with migraine with aura (n = 52) have an increased frequency (0.84) of the DRD2 NcoI C allele (chi-square = 6.47; p < 0.005) compared with control individuals (n = 121; C allele frequency = 0.71). Individuals with migraine without aura (n = 77) showed the same DRD2 T allele frequency (0.70) as the control group. Migraine with aura was present in 27% of the C/C individuals, 16% of the C/T individuals, and 5.2% of the T/T individuals. These data suggest that activation of the DRD2 receptor plays a modifying role in the pathophysiology of migraine with aura. As a result, these data provide a molecular rationale for the documented efficacy of DRD2 antagonists in the treatment of migraine with aura.

• Authors: S J Peroutka, T Wilhoit, K Jones
• Journal: Neurology (Neurology) Vol. 49 Issue 1 Pg. 201-6 (Jul 1997) ISSN: 0028-3878 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9222191 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Receptors, Dopamine D2
• Haloperidol

Topics

• Adult
• Alleles
• Female
• Genotype
• Haloperidol (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Migraine Disorders (drug therapy, genetics, physiopathology)
• Receptors, Dopamine D2 (genetics)