Analysis of the MTHFR C677T variant with migraine phenotypes

The homozygous TT genotype was significantly associated with MA (P < 0.0001) and unilateral head pain (P = 0.002). While the CT genotype was significantly associated with physical activity discomfort (P < 0.001) and stress as a migraine trigger (P = 0.002). Females with the TT genotype were significantly associated with unilateral head pain (P < 0.001) and females with the CT genotype were significantly associated with nausea (P < 0.001), osmophobia (P = 0.002), and the use of natural remedy for migraine treatment (P = 0.003). Conversely, male migraineurs with the TT genotype experienced higher incidences of bilateral head pain (63% vs 34%) and were less likely to use a natural remedy as a migraine treatment compared to female migraineurs (5% vs 20%).MTHFR genotype is associated with specific clinical variables of migraine including unilateral head pain, physical activity discomfort and stress.Migraine is a complex, multifactorial disorder that affects approximately 12% of the Caucasian population [1]. At present, there are no biochemical tests to confirm the diagnosis of migraine; with diagnosis usually achieved by matching the patient's clinical manifestations to the classifications outlined by the International Headache Society (IHS) [2]. The IHS defines two main classes of migraine: migraine with aura (MA) and migraine without aura (MO) [2]. Whilst the two subtypes have significant symptomatic overlap, individuals with MA experience a distinct phase of neurological disturbances known as an "aura", that usually precedes the headache phase of an attack [3,4].The human MTHFR gene mapped to chromosome 1p36.3 catalyses the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) dependent conversion of 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (CH2-THF) to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (CH3-THF), the principal circulatory form of folate and a cofactor for methylation of homocysteine to methionine [5,6]. An increase in circulatory homocysteine levels have been reported in patients with M