Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene variant (MTHFR C677T) and migraine: a case control study and meta-analysis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Migraine is a common disorder that often coexists with depression. While a functional polymorphism in methyleneterahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR C677T) has been implicated in depression; the evidence to support an association of MTHFR with migraine has been inconclusive. We aim to investigate the effect of this variant on propensity for migraine and to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of MTHFR and migraine to date.

METHODS:

Individuals with migraine (n = 447) were selected from the Depression Case Control (DeCC) study to investigate the association between migraine and MTHFR C677T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1801133 using an additive model compared to non-migraineurs adjusting for depression status. A meta-analysis was performed and included 15 studies of MTHFR and migraine.

RESULTS:

MTHFR C677T polymorphism was associated with migraine with aura (MA) (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.01-1.70, p = 0.039) that remained significant after adjusting for age, sex and depression status. A meta-analysis of 15 case-control studies showed that T allele homozygosity is significantly associated with MA (OR = 1.42; 95% CI, 1.10-1.82) and total migraine (OR = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.07-1.76), but not migraine without aura (OR = 1.16; 95% CI, 0.36-3.76). In studies of non-Caucasian population, the TT genotype was associated with total migraine (OR= 3.46; 95% CI, 1.22-9.82), whereas in studies of Caucasians this variant was associated with MA only (OR = 1.28; 95% CI, 1.002-1.63).

CONCLUSIONS:

MTHFR C677T is associated with MA in individuals selected for depression study. A meta-analysis of 15 studies supports this association and demonstrated effects across ethnic groups.

• Authors: Zainab Samaan, Daria Gaysina, Sarah Cohen-Woods, Nick Craddock, Lisa Jones, Ania Korszun, Mike Owen, Andrew Mente, Peter McGuffin, Anne Farmer
• Journal: BMC neurology (BMC Neurol) Vol. 11 Pg. 66 (Jun 02 2011) ISSN: 1471-2377 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21635773 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Carbon-Nitrogen Ligases
• 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase

Topics

• Adult
• Carbon-Nitrogen Ligases (genetics)
• Case-Control Studies
• DNA Mutational Analysis
• Depression (diagnosis, etiology)
• Female
• Gene Frequency
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Genotype
• Humans
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Meta-Analysis as Topic
• Middle Aged
• Migraine with Aura (complications, genetics)
• Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide (genetics)
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales