The association between headache and Val158Met polymorphism in the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene: the HUNT Study

J Headache Pain. 2006 Apr;7(2):70-4. doi: 10.1007/s10194-006-0281-7. Epub 2006 Apr 26.

Abstract

The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene contains a functional polymorphism, Val158Met, that has been found to influence human pain perception, and one study has found that migraine was less likely among those with the Val/Val polymorphism. In the 1995-97 Nord-Trøndelag Health (HUNT) Study, the association between the Val158Met polymorphism and headache was evaluated in a random sample of 2451 individuals. No association between Val158Met polymorphism and migraine was found. Among women, a lower prevalence of non-migrainous headache was found among individuals with the Val/Val genotype than among those with other genotypes (26.2% vs. 33.6%, p = 0.04). That non-migrainous headache was less likely among women with the Val/Val genotype may be an incidental finding, but should be investigated in further studies.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis / methods
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genotype
  • Headache / classification
  • Headache / epidemiology
  • Headache / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methionine / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Norway / epidemiology
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Sex Factors
  • Valine / genetics*

Substances

  • Methionine
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase
  • Valine