Familial migraine with aura:: Association study with 5-HT1B/1D,5-HT2C, and hSERT polymorphisms

Background.-The serotonergic system has a significant role in the pathophysiology and pharmacology of migraine. Objective.-To study the association between the occurrence of migraine with aura and 5-HT1B/1D and 5-HT2C receptor gene and the human serotonin transporter (hSERT) gene polymorphisms in 18 unrelated families with multiple affected members. Method.-Two polymorphisms in the 5-HT1B/1D receptor gene and one polymorphism in the 5-HT2C receptor gene were studied by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Allelic variation of the hSERT, with 9, 10, and 12 copies of a "repetitive element," was studied by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the variable number tandem repeat region. Results.-Allelic distribution of 5-HT1B/1D and 5-HT2C receptor gene polymorphisms in affected patients did not differ in either of the control groups (unaffected relatives or unrelated healthy individuals). A trend toward a significant effect of the 12-repeat hSERT allele as a risk factor for migraine with aura versus unrelated controls was observed. Conclusion.-Our data do not support the involvement of 5-HT1B/1D and 5-HT2C receptor gene polymorphisms in migraine with aura, yet do suggest a possible role for a locus at or near the hSERT gene in the susceptibility to migraine with aura.