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Review
. 2013 Feb 4:11:26.
doi: 10.1186/1741-7015-11-26.

Epigenetic mechanisms in migraine: a promising avenue?

Else Eising  1 , Nicole A Datson, Arn M J M van den Maagdenberg, Michel D Ferrari
Affiliations
Review

Epigenetic mechanisms in migraine: a promising avenue?

Else Eising et al. BMC Med. .

Abstract

Migraine is a disabling common brain disorder typically characterized by attacks of severe headache and associated with autonomic and neurological symptoms. Its etiology is far from resolved. This review will focus on evidence that epigenetic mechanisms play an important role in disease etiology. Epigenetics comprise both DNA methylation and post-translational modifications of the tails of histone proteins, affecting chromatin structure and gene expression. Besides playing a role in establishing cellular and developmental stage-specific regulation of gene expression, epigenetic processes are also important for programming lasting cellular responses to environmental signals. Epigenetic mechanisms may explain how non-genetic endogenous and exogenous factors such as female sex hormones, stress hormones and inflammation trigger may modulate attack frequency. Developing drugs that specifically target epigenetic mechanisms may open up exciting new avenues for the prophylactic treatment of migraine.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Proposed model in which epigenetic factors influence migraine pathophysiology. Different factors such as hormones, inflammation and neuronal activity can result in chromatin remodeling events affecting the expression of genes and pathways involved in the onset and progress of migraine and comorbid disorders such as depression. The hyperexcitability observed in migraine itself acts on the epigenome, thus creating a feed-forward loop resulting in chronification of migraine.
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