Monoamine oxidase-A gene promoter polymorphism in female migraineurs

Objective: To assess whether there is a relationship between monoamine oxidase, A (MAOA) gene promoter polymorphism and migraine in female patients. Study design: A polymerase chain reaction based study in which MAOA promoter polymorphism was studied in 54 female migraineurs and 52 controls. Methods: The low (3-repeat) and high (one of 3.5, 4 or 5 repeat units) activity MAOA alleles were detected. The genotypes and allele frequencies were compared both within and between the groups. Results: The representation of both low (1/1) and high (2/2) activity genotypes were similar between the female migraineurs and controls. The allele frequencies were also similar between these groups. There was no relationship between the presence or absence of aura and MAO polymorphism. Conclusion: MAOA gene polymorphism is not associated with migraine or aura in female patients.