This is article deals with a faulty gene that can cause the common migraine which UK and Canadian researchers discovered. They found that when the gene is not on it inhibits " a protein that regulates the threshold of sensitivity of pain centres in the brain."
Over the years many researchers knew that the migraine can be linked to human DNA but didn't know which one exactly. The article mentions "... the researchers found that a mutation in the KCNK18 gene inhibits the function of a protein called TRESK, which plays an important part in nerve cell communication: it helps to regulate the sensitivity threshold of pain centres in the brain."
The researchers tested families who have migraines and have found that they all had the mutation of the gene. Now that researchers are finding genes relating to the migraines it will improve further methods of healing them rather than the past of using medicines that relax brain muscles.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/202620.php
I found this article very interesting for a number of reasons. I know a number of people who suffer from migraines so painful that they are physical sick and cannot even get out of bed. The severity of these migraines has caused them to miss out important activities such as school and work. With this research there is hope for a cure. This article is one that proves how important genetics are to not only the medical world but pharmaceutical one as well. Drug companies can utilize genetic research and turn that work into a profit while also benefiting the general public. When we have pinpointed the cause of a certain condition we can then focus on the solution. While I do not believe that this faulty gene is the cause for all migraines, the research presented in the article seems to say that it is defiantly the cause of some. I also think it was very interesting that "they found that TRESK is present in certain brain cell structures: the trigeminal ganglia and dorsal root ganglia, that have been linked to migraine and pain pathways before." To me this seems like solid research and is a great start for finding helpful ways to treat this condition.
ReplyDeleteI want to point out what one of the doctors was quoted to say in the article:
ReplyDelete"We now have direct evidence that migraine is a nerve excitability problem and have highlighted a key causal pathway in migraine", said Cader.
He makes it sound as though "nerve excitability" is the only way that a person can have a migraine.
I know someone who has hydrocephaly as well as an Arnold-Chiari Malformation, which is when the cerebellum starts to be pushed through the small opening at the top of the spinal column, and needless to say these factors give her migraines. I don't think it was the best idea for a doctor to jump to conclusions and/or be quoted as saying something so definitive, when there are definitely other reasons for migraines than just an overactive nerve.
I think I'm glad to hear this news since my brother suffers from severe migraines. I hope this study can help the scientists and physicians better understand the chemistry behind migraines, so they'll be able to find treatments that are better and more effective than the ones currently used.
ReplyDelete