Migraine: Genetic Factors May Differ Between Men and Women

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PainRelief.com Interview with:
Matthew S. Panizzon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Psychiatry
Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging
University of California San Diego

Dr. Panizzon

PainRelief.com:  What is the background for this study?

Response: Migraine is a severe neurological disease that affects over 12% of the population.  Women are also much more likely to suffer from migraine then men.  Despite how common it is, the factors that contribute to migraine are poorly understood.

PainRelief.com:?  What are the main findings?

Response: We applied powerful statistical approaches to a large sample of twins in order to ask questions about what factors contribute to migraine.  In the end we provide the first evidence that the genetic factors that contribute to migraine risk may be different between men and women. We are also the first to demonstrate that the prenatal hormone environment may contribute migraine risk.

PainRelief.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: The genetic factors that contribute to migraine may be different between men and women. Furthermore, early life factors, like the prenatal environment, may influence migraine risk later in life.

PainRelief.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?

Response: Future study of the interactions between genetic and environmental factors is really needed, as well as possible interactions between genetic and hormonal factors.  Researches also need to get a better understanding of what contributes to the age when migraines start.

Citation:

AUTHOR=Fitzgerald Morgan C., Saelzler Ursula G., Panizzon Matthew S.
TITLE=Sex Differences in Migraine: A Twin Study 
JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pain Research    
VOLUME=2      YEAR=2021 PAGES=113  
URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpain.2021.766718    
DOI=10.3389/fpain.2021.766718    ISSN=2673-561X

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Last Updated on December 18, 2021 by PainRelief.com