causes and Prevention of Migraine

Cause

The underlying causes of migraines are unknown. However, they are believed to be related to a mix of environmental and genetic factors.

They run in families in about two-thirds of cases and rarely occur due to a single gene defect.

A number of psychological conditions are associated including: depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder as are many biological events or triggers.

Genetics

Studies of twins indicate a 34 to 51% genetic influence of likelihood to develop migraine headaches. This genetic relationship is stronger for migraines with aura than for migraines without aura.

A number of specific variants of genes increase the risk by a small to moderate amount.
Single gene disorders that result in migraines are rare.

One of these is known as familial hemiplegic migraine, a type of migraine with aura, which is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion.

Four genes have been shown to be involved in familial hemiplegic migraine. Three of these genes are involved in ion transport. The fourth is an axonal protein associated with the exocytosis complex.

Another genetic disorder associated with migraine is CADASIL syndrome or cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy.