A polymorphism in the interleukin-1α gene influences the clinical features of migraine

Objective.-To evaluate whether a particular genotype of the interleukin-la (ILIA) gene affects the clinical features of migraine. Background.-Proinflammatory mediators have been reported to play a role in the pathophysiology of migraine. Recent studies suggest that polymorphisms in the interieukin-1 genes influence the age at onset and subsequent course of several chronic inflammatory diseases. Methods.-In a group of 269 patients with migraine, we tested the association of the -889 C/T biallelic polymorphism of the ILIA gene with several clinical features of the disease. Results.-Patients with migraine carrying the T/T genotype show an age at onset of the disease that is significantly (P < .01) lower than IL1A C/C or C/T carriers. In addition, the same genotype was significantly (P < .05) more frequent in patients with migraine with aura than in patients with migraine without aura. Conclusions.-The results of our study suggest a role for the ILIA gene in modifying the clinical features of migraine.