Testing of variants of the MTHFR and ESR1 genes in 1798 Finnish individuals fails to confirm the association with migraine with aura

Cephalalgia. 2006 Dec;26(12):1462-72. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2006.01228.x.

Abstract

Among the few independently replicated genetic associations in migraine are polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and oestrogen receptor (ESR1) genes. We studied the contribution of these genes to migraine susceptibility by genotyping six MTHFR and 26 ESR1 polymorphisms in 898 unrelated migraine with aura (MA) patients and in 900 unrelated healthy controls. There were no differences in the genotype distributions of the previously migraine-associated SNPs C677T (MTHFR) and G2014A (ESR1) between cases and controls (P-values 0.83 and 0.55, respectively). Thus, we were not able to replicate the previous findings, although our study had considerable power. However, five of the ESR1 SNPs (rs6557170, rs2347867, rs6557171, rs4870062 and rs1801132) that were in strong linkage disequilibrium were nominally associated with MA (uncorrected P-values 0.007-0.034). These results did not, however, remain significant after taking multiple testing into account. Thus it seems unlikely that the studied genes are involved in migraine susceptibility, at least in this sample.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / genetics*
  • Female
  • Finland
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Humans
  • Linkage Disequilibrium
  • Male
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Migraine with Aura / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Substances

  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)