Connection between GABA receptors genes and Migraine has not been confirmed

There have been studies that connect migraine gene to chromosome Xq24-28, a region containing a cluster of genes for GABA A receptors (GABRE, GABRA3, GABRQ), which are potential candidate genes for migraine.

The GABA neurotransmitter has been implicated in migraine pathophysiology previously; however its exact role has not yet been established, although GABA receptors agonists have been the target of therapeutic developments.

A more recent study by Francesca Fernandez, Teresa Esposito, Rod A Lea, Natalie J Colson, Alfredo Ciccodicola, Fernando Gianfrancesco and Lyn R Griffiths, published in BMC Medical Genetics, have not given a confirmation to a theory that GABA receptors and migraines are connected.

Here's a small excerpt:

"The aim of the present research is to investigate the role of the potential candidate genes reported on chromosome Xq24-28 region in migraine susceptibility. In this study, we have focused on the subunit GABA A receptors type epsilon (GABRE) and type theta (GABRQ) genes and their involvement in migraine.

Methods: We have performed an association analysis in a large population of case-controls (275 unrelated Caucasian migraineurs versus 275 controls) examining a set of 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding region (exons 3, 5 and 9) of the GABRE gene and also the I478F coding variant of the GABRQ gene.

Results: Our study did not show any association between the examined SNPs in our test population (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Although these particular GABA receptor genes did not show positive association, further studies are necessary to consider the role of other GABA receptor genes in migraine susceptibility."


link: Investigation of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptors genes and migraine susceptibility