Genetic discovery could lead to new migraine treatment

Migraine sufferers could soon be able to receive new treatments for the condition on their private medical cover.

That is because scientists have discovered a genetic link to the debilitating headaches for the first time.

An international research effort, spearheaded by the UK's Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, has found that patients with a particular DNA variant are at particular risk of developing migraines.

The researchers said that the associated DNA variant regulates levels of glutamate - a neurotransmitter which transports messages between nerve cells in the brain.

It is believed that an accumulation of glutamate in the brain's synapses may play a key role in the initiation of migraine attacks.

This could potentially lead to improved treatments and preventative measures.

"This is the first time we have been able to peer into the genomes of many thousands of people and find genetic clues to understand common migraine," said Dr Aarno Palotie, chair of the International Headache Genetics Consortium at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute.

Migraines usually start in puberty but mostly affect people between 35 and 45 years of age.

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