Genetics discovery leads to migraine treatment

It seems there's another new discovery linking one or more genes to a disorder or disease every day. However, not all of these genetic insights lead to a treatment.

Yet, a discovery made over a decade ago by Professor Lyn Griffiths and her team at Griffith University has now led to a surprisingly simple yet effective treatment for the severe headaches in some individuals.

Since the late 1990s Griffiths has been publishing papers revealing an X-linked genetic component to migraines, indicating that there was a genetic basis to the headaches in some individuals.

Her research has focused on the relatively isolated population living on Norfolk Island, many of whom are descended from the survivors of the mutiny on the Bounty.

This group of around 2000 people has proven a genetic gold mine because of its isolation and the fact many are descended from the original nine mutineers from the Bounty along with the 12 Tahitian women they brought with them from Pitcairn Island in 1790.

The population was particularly interesting to Griffiths because they had an unusually high incidence of migraine - with 27% being sufferers compared to 12% of the overall Australian population - giving her an opportunity to plumb the genetic basis of the headaches.

She found that there was a genetic link to migraines, located specifically on the X chromosome, which also appeared to account for why migraines were more common in women than men.

Six years ago, Griffiths narrowed down the genetic search, isolating the genes that appear to be involved in making certain individuals susceptible to migraines.

By understanding the genetics involved, treatment can be tailored to each patient. In the case of a study conducted by Griffith University, the treatment involves vitamin B and folic acid, which can help compensate for the faulty genes.

The clinical trial of the new treatment has so far proven very successful.

Mrs Karyn Baker, a previous trial participant, experienced her first full migraine at the age of 17 after three years of suffering pre-symptoms.

"Until joining the trial, I had been managing unpredictable and debilitating migraines for over 30 years. I tried all sorts of treatments with no real success, and had resorted to regularly taking very strong pain relief plus maxolon."

In this study, trial participants received six months of either a placebo or the vitamin and folic acid treatment directed towards overcoming the genetic mutation identified in about 20% of migraine sufferers.

"I just knew I was a lucky participant receiving the 'active' tablets because shortly after starting the treatment, I experienced a dramatic decrease in the number of migraines and also my general sense of wellbeing improved," said Mrs Baker.

"I am hugely grateful to the researchers at Griffith for literally turning my life around. I can confidently say I have been completely migraine free since taking the vitamin supplements at the recommended rate."

Griffiths was pleased that the research on the genetics of migraine are starting to bear a therapeutic divident.

"Stories like Mrs Baker's are the 'feel good' factor of our research and hopefully we can have this kind of positive effect on many more migraine sufferers as we continue to unfold the mystery of this common chronic condition," said Professor Griffiths.

The final outcome of the trials is expected to result in the development of a nutraceutical (nutrition-based) product tailored to individual needs determined by a genetic diagnosis