Mapping Genes For Typical Migraine Using Twin Families.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,124.00
Summary
Current evidence suggests multiple genes may underlie susceptibility to the more common forms of migraine. The project will look to see if the these genes provide clues to the further elucidation of the complex molecular pathways of migraine and will help in the development of diagnostic tests and evidence-based treatment strategies.
VISUAL TESTS TO INVESTIGATE ALTERED CORTICAL FUNCTION IN MIGRAINE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$293,062.00
Summary
Migraine is a very common and disabling neurological condition that often involves visual symptoms. This project will study vision in people who experience migraine, to determine whether brain function is altered by a migraine event or in between migraines. Understanding the visual consequences of migraine provides insight to the neural processes causing migraine, and also those underlying less common but more sinister outcomes of migraine such as stroke and peripheral vision loss.
Association Screen Of High Priority Positional Candidate Genes For Migraine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,521.00
Summary
Typical migraine, is a frequent, debilitating and painful disorder that normally affects people during their most productive years (25% of females and 7.5% of males). The World Health Organization recently identified migraine among the world's top 20 leading causes of disability, with an impact that extends far beyond the suffering individual, to the family and community. Although migraine is highly prevalent in our society, its aetiology remains relatively obscure and there are no laboratory ba ....Typical migraine, is a frequent, debilitating and painful disorder that normally affects people during their most productive years (25% of females and 7.5% of males). The World Health Organization recently identified migraine among the world's top 20 leading causes of disability, with an impact that extends far beyond the suffering individual, to the family and community. Although migraine is highly prevalent in our society, its aetiology remains relatively obscure and there are no laboratory based diagnostic tests that identify those who suffer from the disorder. Twin studies indicate that migraine has a significant genetic component, with heritability estimates of 33-65%. Therefore, in an effort to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the disorder, we have been looking for genomic regions co-inherited (linked) with migraine. The resulting genome-wide linkage scan involving 756 Australian families found significant evidence for the presence of a novel migraine gene on chromosome 5q21 and highly suggestive evidence for a gene on chromosome 10q22. Importantly, we recently replicated linkage to the 5q21 and 10q22 regions in an independent collection of Australian migraine families. Consequently, these regions hold great promise for identifying migraine susceptibility genes in our sample. Using a bioinformatics computer-assisted search of public databases we have ranked the potential candidature of the genes within the 5q21 and 10q22 regions This project will screen the top 21 candidate genes in 768 cases and 768 controls highly selected for the presence and absence of familial migraine, respectively. Our proposed association screen of high priority genes in two strongly implicated regions has high power to identify genes underlying common migraine susceptibility. Such genes will provide clues to the further elucidation of the complex molecular pathways of migraine and , finally, will help in the development of diagnostic tests and rational treatment strategies.Read moreRead less
Cortical Excitation In Migraine: Using Vision To Understand And Track Brain Excitability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$521,628.00
Summary
Migraine is a common neurological condition affecting approximately 15% of adults. Therapies are most effective if used early, yet many people are unable to predict their migraines or to recognize early signs. In addition to headache, key symptoms include abnormal visual and auditory experience. We propose that aspects of vision and hearing will vary systematically according to the current brain status. Our translational goal is to develop tests that allow individuals to better manage migraine.
Improving Behavioural Treatment For Frequent Headaches By Incorporating A New Approach To Managing Triggers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$499,255.00
Summary
The standard clinical advice is that the best way to prevent headaches is to avoid the triggers, but we have argued that this may lead to decreased tolerance for triggers and therefore more headaches. We have developed an innovative approach to managing triggers which focuses on training people to cope with triggers. The proposed research will evaluate a new treatment for headaches based on integrating our approach to managing triggers into our behavioural treatment program for headaches.
Identifying Mitochondrial Genome Variants Associated With Familial Migraine Susceptibility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,273.00
Summary
New therapeutic targets for migraine are desperately needed. Although studies have identified some migraine genes there remains considerable underlying genetic variation to be characterised. This study aims to identify functional variants in the mitochondrial genome that contribute to migraine susceptibility, utilising the isolated Norfolk Island population. Outcomes will determine the significance of the variants identified, potentially leading to new diagnostics.