A recent investigation published in Nature Genetics scrutinizes the genetic makeup of more than 1.3 million individuals, identifying 44 genetic markers linked to migraines and indicating potential new routes for medical treatment.
New Biological Channels Identified for Migraine Treatment
An extensive global research project spearheaded by deCODE Genetics has yielded fresh perspectives on the biological underpinnings of migraine. This allows for the discovery of uncommon genetic variations that offer protection against migraines, thus laying the groundwork for possible future drug development.
The research, which was made public today in Nature Genetics, was conducted by an international team of scientists led by deCODE Genetics in Iceland, an affiliate of Amgen Inc. The team analyzed genetic information from upwards of 1.3 million participants, of whom 80,000 were afflicted with migraines. Their inquiry was concentrated on identifying genetic variations linked to the two predominant forms of migraines: those with aura (commonly called classical migraines) and those without. The findings illuminate multiple genes that disproportionately affect one subtype of migraine over the other, and illuminate new biological channels that could be pursued for treatment innovations.
Table of Contents
Migraine: A Pervasive Chronic Pain Condition
Migraine is one of the most frequently occurring chronic pain conditions globally, affecting as many as one in five adults. Even though significant progress has been made in comprehending the genetics and basic biology of migraines, as well as in the development of new treatments that are efficacious for many who suffer from migraines, these therapies do not address all forms of the condition.
Newly Discovered Genetic Links and Variations
The investigation revealed connections to 44 genetic variations, 12 of which are newly discovered. Four of these new associations are tied to migraines with aura, and 13 variations are primarily linked to migraines without aura. Of particular note are three rare variations with significant impacts, suggesting different pathological bases for various forms of migraine. Specifically, an infrequent frameshift variant in the PRRT2 gene increases the risk for migraines with aura and for another neurological disorder, epilepsy, but not for migraines without aura.
In the SCN11A gene, which is known to have a crucial function in the perception of pain, the researchers found several uncommon loss-of-function variants linked to protective effects against migraines. In the same gene, a common missense variant is associated with a moderate risk of migraine. Lastly, a rare variation related to the KCNK5 gene offers strong protection against severe migraines and brain aneurysms, thereby either identifying a shared pathway between the two conditions or suggesting that some instances of early brain aneurysms may be misidentified as migraines.
Importance of the Research
“What distinguishes our study is the inclusion of large datasets from sequenced individuals, allowing for the identification of rare variants that offer protection against migraines and thus potentially paving the way for the creation of innovative drug targets,” stated Kari Stefansson, the CEO of deCODE Genetics.
The collaborative research venture was orchestrated by scientists at deCODE Genetics in Iceland and involved contributing researchers from the Copenhagen Hospital Biobank and Danish Blood Bank Study, the HUSK study in Norway, the Intermountain Health study in the United States, as well as data gathered from large population-based investigations from the UK Biobank and FinnGen.
Citation
“Rare variants with large effects provide functional insights into the pathology of migraine,” published on 26 October 2023 in Nature Genetics. DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01538-0
Headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland, deCODE is a worldwide leader in the analysis and comprehension of the human genome. Utilizing its distinct proficiency and population resources, deCODE has identified genetic risk elements for numerous prevalent diseases. The ultimate objective of understanding the genetic basis of diseases is to leverage this information to develop new methodologies for diagnosis, treatment, and disease prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Migraine Genetics and Treatment Research
What is the primary objective of the study published in Nature Genetics?
The primary objective of the study is to understand the genetic factors contributing to different types of migraines. The research analyzed genetic data from over 1.3 million individuals to identify genetic variants associated with migraines and to suggest new therapeutic pathways for treatment.
Who led the international study on migraine genetics?
The study was led by deCODE Genetics, a subsidiary of Amgen Inc., based in Iceland. They collaborated with multiple international organizations and used data from several large population-based studies.
How many participants were involved in the study?
The study involved genetic data from over 1.3 million participants, of which 80,000 were migraine sufferers.
What types of migraine were the focus of the study?
The study concentrated on identifying genetic variants associated with the two main subtypes of migraines: migraine with aura (often referred to as classical migraine) and migraine without aura.
How many genetic variants related to migraines were identified?
The study found associations with 44 genetic variants, 12 of which are new. These variants are associated with either one of the two main subtypes of migraine or point to distinct pathologies underlying different types of the condition.
What are some specific genes that the study highlighted?
The study highlighted a rare frameshift variant in the PRRT2 gene associated with a higher risk of migraine with aura and epilepsy. In the SCN11A gene, researchers found several rare loss-of-function variants associated with protective effects against migraines. A rare variant pointing to the KCNK5 gene offers strong protection against severe migraines and brain aneurysms.
What is the significance of identifying these genetic variants?
The identification of these genetic variants not only deepens our understanding of the biological underpinnings of migraines but also opens new avenues for potential drug development targeted at these specific genetic factors.
Who is Kari Stefansson?
Kari Stefansson is the CEO of deCODE Genetics, and he states that the study’s uniqueness lies in its large datasets from sequenced individuals, enabling the identification of rare variants protecting against migraines.
What other institutions collaborated on this research?
Collaborating scientists came from the Copenhagen Hospital Biobank and Danish Blood Bank Study, the HUSK study in Norway, the Intermountain Health study in the United States, and data generated by large population-based studies from the UK Biobank and FinnGen.
What is the broader goal of deCODE Genetics in studying the human genome?
Based in Reykjavik, Iceland, deCODE Genetics aims to understand the genetic risk factors for dozens of common diseases. This information could lead to new methods for diagnosing, treating, and preventing various diseases, including migraines.
More about Migraine Genetics and Treatment Research
- Nature Genetics Study on Migraine Genetics
- deCODE Genetics Official Website
- Amgen Inc. Corporate Profile
- UK Biobank Research Resources
- FinnGen Research Study
- Intermountain Health Study
- HUSK Study in Norway
- Copenhagen Hospital Biobank and Danish Blood Bank Study
- Understanding Genetic Risk Factors for Chronic Pain
- Advances in Migraine Treatment and Research
8 comments
I’m no scientist but this sounds promising. Anything that brings us closer to better treatment is welcome news.
decode is based in Iceland? Thats kinda cool. Never thought of Iceland as a hub for genetic research but hey, you learn something new every day.
As someone who suffers from chronic migraines, I can’t wait to see where this research leads. The more we know, the better, right?
finally some good news for us migraine sufferers. Hope this means we’re close to finding a cure or at least better treatments.
I’ve always wondered why migraines are so common but we know so little about them. This study could be a big step toward understanding them.
thats some deep science stuff there. decode Genetics seems to be leading the way. impressive.
Wow, this is a game changer for migraine research. I mean, 44 new genetic markers! That’s huge.
It’s about time we got some large-scale research on this. Migraines are debilitating and it’s high time we got some serious scientific attention on it.