‘Aura’ Migraines Are Hereditary, Scientists Say
From Times wire reports
UCLA geneticists have found that migraines with auras are a hereditary condition. “For the first time, we have proof of an isolated genetic link to migraine,” said Dr. Aarno Palotie. “This finding moves us one step closer to isolating the gene that predisposes people to migraine headaches with auras.”
Migraines affect about 12% of the U.S. population. Some are preceded by an aura--neurological symptoms characterized by visual disturbances up to an hour before the headache begins. Palotie’s team analyzed genetic markers in blood samples from 50 Finnish families with a history of migraines and discovered three common markers linked to chromosome 4.
