The C677T polymorphism in MTHFR is not associated with migraine in Portugal

Dis Markers. 2008;25(2):107-13. doi: 10.1155/2008/178679.

Abstract

Migraine is a debilitating disorder affecting a large proportion of the population. The effect of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (GeneID: 4524) polymorphisms in migraine etiology and development has been a theme of great interest. Several populations were evaluated with contradictory results. In this case-control study, we investigated the effect of the C677T polymorphism in MTHFR, as a genetic risk factor for migraine, in the Portuguese population. We observed that, overall, there was no significant difference in the frequencies of MTHFR C677T genotypes or of the T-allele among the Portuguese migraineurs when compared to controls. There was also no association of migraine with aura with MTHFR genotypes or with the T-allele, in contrast with previous studies. Regarding the risk of the T-allele homozygote carriers, there was an equal probability to develop migraine with aura over migraine without aura in our patients. Thus, we conclude that the C677T MTHFR polymorphism, responsible for a reduction of the MTHFR activity in folate metabolism, is not a major genetic susceptibility factor for migraine in the Portuguese population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Folic Acid / metabolism
  • Genotype
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / genetics*
  • Migraine with Aura / enzymology
  • Migraine with Aura / epidemiology
  • Migraine with Aura / genetics*
  • Migraine without Aura / enzymology
  • Migraine without Aura / epidemiology
  • Migraine without Aura / genetics
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics*
  • Portugal / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Folic Acid
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)