Significance of serotonin transporter gene polymorphism in migraine

Objective. To elucidate significance of the serotonin transporter gene (STG) polymorphism in migraine, and to address the polymorphic patterns of STG, both in the migraineurs and healthy people in this country. Study design. A PCR study of STG in 52 migraineurs and 80 healthy controls. Methods. Using the PCR technique, STG polymorphism was studied in the DNA obtained from leukocytes of the patients and healthy controls. Polymorphism of the two regions (VNTR and 5-HTTLPR) of STG was assessed. Results, VNTR STin 2.10 and STin 2.12 alleles were detected in migraineurs and healthy controls. Both homozygous and heterozygous STin 2.10 allele predominated in the migraine group (p = 0.01), while STin 2.12 allele was more frequent in the healthy controls (p = 0.02). There was no relationship between the migraine type, family history of migraine and STG polymorphism. Conclusion. STin 2.10 and STin 2.12 alleles of VNTR are frequent in this country. While the presence of STin 2.10 allele increases the risk of migraine, 5-HTTLPR polymorphism is not associated with this risk. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.