Migraine

1 Sep 2010 - Migraines affect about one in six women and one in 12 men, and have been estimated to be the most expensive brain disorder to society in the European Union and USA. Not only are migraines painful, they can also be disabling and are often a life-long condition. The exact causes of the disorder remain unknown. However, migraines are believed to occur when inflammatory chemicals are released around the nerves and blood vessels in the head, inducing pain that can be excruciating. The condition is sometimes accompanied by nausea and hyper-sensitivity to light and sound. An international scientific team has now for the first time identified an inherited risk factor associated with migraines and say the research could open the way for new treatments to prevent attacks. It was found that patients with a certain DNA variant affecting regulation of a particular brain chemical have a greater risk of developing migraines.