Breakthrough News Involving Migraine

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100831006266/en

Foremost Migraine Expert Dr. David Dodick Available to Comment
--(Business Wire)--
Investigators from the International Headache Genetics Consortium, a world-wide
collaboration of researchers, have identified the first-ever genetic risk factor
associated with common types of migraine. Researchers looked at genetic data of
more than 50,000 people and found new insights into the triggers for migraines
attacks, which commonly begin in puberty and but tend to affect people aged
between 20 to 45 years of age. Migraine affects approximately one in six women
and one in 12 men.

"This is a major stride in migraine science," said David W. Dodick, president of
the American Headache Society, and professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic
College of Medicine, and the director of the Headache Program in Phoenix,
Arizona. Underscoring the significance of the findings, Dr. Dodick said, "It is
the first study to identify a genetic risk factor for the common subtypes of
migraine, and provides some support for the general concept of migraine as
astate of brain hyperexcitability. It also supports previous research findings
on the potential role of glutamate in migraine, as well novel glutamate
modulating drugs that are currently being tested in migraine. Further work may
provide insight into the precise molecular mechanism(s) of migraine as well as
future targets for novel therapies."

The team found that patients with a particular DNA variant on Chromosome 8
between two genes -- PGCP and MTDH/AEG-1 -- have a significantly greater risk
for developing migraine. It appears that the associated DNA variant regulates
levels of glutamate -- a chemical, known as a neurotransmitter, which transports
messages between nerve cells in the brain. Prevention of the build up of
glutamate at the synapse (space between nerve endings) may provide a promising
target for novel therapeutics to ease the burden of the disease, according to
Dr. Dodick. Although researchers have in the past described genetic mutations
giving rise to rare and extreme forms of migraine, this is the first time a team
has identified a genetic variant giving rise to the common forms of the
condition.

The American Headache Society® (AHS) is a professional society of health care
providers dedicated to the research and treatment of headache and face pain.
www.americanheadachesociety.org The American Migraine Foundation (AMF) is a
non-profit foundation of AHS. The mission of AMF is to support innovative
research that will lead to improvement in the lives of those who suffer from
migraine and other disabling headaches. www.americanmigrainefoundation.org

To arrange an interview with Dr. Dodick please contact:

Martha Cid / Cynthia Goldstein
212-539-3258 / 212-539-3273

Joyce Yaeger
631-597-6099

M Booth & Associates, Inc.
Martha Cid, 212-539-3258
Cynthia Goldstein, 212-539-3273
or
Joyce Yaeger, 631-597-6099

Copyright Business Wire 2010