Migraine is hereditary say doctors
Over the years migraine sufferers have often suspected the debilitating condition runs in the family.
Now scientists say they have found the first hard evidence that the blinding headaches which can cause disturbed vision and nausea are indeed hereditary.
Researchers claim to be close to identifying a specific gene predisposing people to the disorder.
Children whose mothers suffered from headaches had double the risk of migraines when they grew up.
Dr Aarno Palotie, a geneticist at the University of California, in Los Angeles, said: 'For the first time we have proof of an isolated genetic link to migraine.'
He and his researchers focused on classical migraine - or migraine with aura - when the headache is preceded by visual disturbances, including flashing lights, shimmering lines and blind spots.
The visual disturbance usually disappears after about 30 minutes and is followed by a piercing headache, and a sensitivity to light.
Dr Palotie's team analysed genetic markers in blood samples from 50 families with three or more members from different generations who had the disorder.
In a third of the 430 people studied, researchers discovered three common markers on a crucial section of 'chromosome four' - there are 23 pairs of chromosomes in every cell in our bodies made up of DNA.
Dr Palotie, whose breakthrough is reported in the American Journal of Human Genetics, explained: 'This finding moves us a step closer to isolating the gene that predisposes people to migraines with auras.' Now that they had 'narrowed the hunting ground' they could concentrate on identifying the gene.
'The findings also pave the way for clinical trials of more effective prophylactic drugs,' added Dr Palotie.
The discovery may help doctors treat the six million British sufferers. Migraines affect almost 20 per cent of women and 6 per cent of men.
Dr Anne Turner, of the charity Migraine Action Association, said: 'It has long been suspected that there is a genetic component to migraine, because people say it does tend to run in families.'
She added that a gene had also recently been identified for a rare form of the condition called familial hemoplegic migraine.
Though this affected only a handful of people, it had already led to more effective drug treatments.
'The hope is that discoveries about the genetics of other forms of migraine will do the same,' said Dr Turner.
Now scientists say they have found the first hard evidence that the blinding headaches which can cause disturbed vision and nausea are indeed hereditary.
Researchers claim to be close to identifying a specific gene predisposing people to the disorder.
Children whose mothers suffered from headaches had double the risk of migraines when they grew up.
Dr Aarno Palotie, a geneticist at the University of California, in Los Angeles, said: 'For the first time we have proof of an isolated genetic link to migraine.'
He and his researchers focused on classical migraine - or migraine with aura - when the headache is preceded by visual disturbances, including flashing lights, shimmering lines and blind spots.
The visual disturbance usually disappears after about 30 minutes and is followed by a piercing headache, and a sensitivity to light.
Dr Palotie's team analysed genetic markers in blood samples from 50 families with three or more members from different generations who had the disorder.
In a third of the 430 people studied, researchers discovered three common markers on a crucial section of 'chromosome four' - there are 23 pairs of chromosomes in every cell in our bodies made up of DNA.
Dr Palotie, whose breakthrough is reported in the American Journal of Human Genetics, explained: 'This finding moves us a step closer to isolating the gene that predisposes people to migraines with auras.' Now that they had 'narrowed the hunting ground' they could concentrate on identifying the gene.
'The findings also pave the way for clinical trials of more effective prophylactic drugs,' added Dr Palotie.
The discovery may help doctors treat the six million British sufferers. Migraines affect almost 20 per cent of women and 6 per cent of men.
Dr Anne Turner, of the charity Migraine Action Association, said: 'It has long been suspected that there is a genetic component to migraine, because people say it does tend to run in families.'
She added that a gene had also recently been identified for a rare form of the condition called familial hemoplegic migraine.
Though this affected only a handful of people, it had already led to more effective drug treatments.
'The hope is that discoveries about the genetics of other forms of migraine will do the same,' said Dr Turner.
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