Association of the T102C polymorphism of 5-HT2A receptor gene with aura in migraine

Objective: To find out the significance of the 5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphism in migraine. Study design: A PCR study in which 61 migraineurs and 44 healthy controls were included. Methods: The T102C polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene was studied. The results of the migraineurs and controls were compared. The relationship between the gene polymorphism and aura was also assessed. Results: The representations of the 5-HT2A genotypes were similar in migraineurs and controls (p > 0.05) as well as in the male and female migraineurs (p > 0.05). The family history of migraine did not associate with 5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphism (p > 0.05). There was a significant relationship between the presence of C/C genotype and migraine with aura (p = 0.02) while C/T and T/T genotypes were over represented in the patients with migraine without aura (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The T102C polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene is not directly related to the increased risk of migraine. The associations between the genotypes of this gene and aura may suggest that 5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphism may be involved in determining the subtypes of or accompanying symptoms in the migraine disease. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.