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Migraine genes and neurobiological pathways

Objective

Migraine is a common chronic pain syndrome, with recurrent attacks (1-3 days) of disabling headache,associated symptoms and, in 1/3 of patients, neurological aura symptoms. Over 12% of the general population (2/3 females) have migraine attacks regularly (median 18/year). WHO rates migraine in the highest class of most disabling chronic disorders. Migraine-related annual costs in the EU amount 10 billion euros. Acute attack treatments are satisfactorily in less than half of patients. Effective and well-tolerated prophylactic migraine agents are dearly needed.Genetic factors are involvedin the mechanisms for the attack, pain, and aura. EUROHEAD aims to identify and validate these genes, and unravel their functional involvement in migraine pathways by using clinical and (post)genomic techniques in patients and cellular and transgenic mouse models. To this extent, EUROHEAD combines the extensive clinical, genetic and neurobiologic expertise of leading scientists from 7 EU countries and access to a unique patient material. This includes large well-defined families, clinic-and population-based cohorts, families from genetic isolated populations (Finland; Costa Rica and 600,000 twin pairs from the EUfunded GENOMEUTWIN project.We assume that rare familial and common complex types of migraine share common genes and pathways.Focusing on families and isolates, integrated genome wide scans linkage disequilibrium mapping, bioinformatics and association studies will yield candidate genes. The function will be studied by using electrophysiological (e.g. cortical spreading depression), behavioural, and neuroimaging models Endophenotypes will be identified in clinical, attack-provocation, neurophyiological, and neuroimaging studies.The project will improve our understanding of the genetics and neurobiology of migraine, including molecular diagnostics and intervention targets. There are ample opportunities for SME' s and pharmaceutical companies to participate...

Call for proposal

FP6-2002-LIFESCIHEALTH
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Coordinator

LEIDEN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
EU contribution
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Address
Albinusdreef 2
9600 LEIDEN
Netherlands

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Participants (8)