Migraine with Aura, Gene Polymorphisms, and Stroke Risk

In this analysis from the Women’s Health Study, the twofold increased risk for stroke associated with migraine with aura was increased to four-fold in patients with a common polymorphism of the MTHFR gene.

The aim of this study was to explore associations among a common polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, migraine, and cardiovascular disease (CVD; stroke and myocardial infarction [MI]). Some 25,000 participants in the Women’s Health Study provided blood samples and epidemiologic data. Participants were classified according to self-report at baseline as having migraine with aura (MWA; report of “aura or any indication a migraine is coming”) or migraine without aura. Cardiovascular events during a mean 12 years of follow-up were self-reported and confirmed by chart review.

In an analysis adjusted for other CVD risk factors, active MWA increased the risk for CVD (both ischemic stroke and MI) approximately twofold…

Reviewing Authors

Till Sprenger, MD

Peter J. Goadsby, MD, PhD

Migraine with Aura, Gene Polymorphisms, and Stroke Risk

Topics

Reviewing Authors