Despite the general correlation of the serotonin transporter gene regulatory region polymorphism ( 5-HTTLPR) and platelet serotonin concentration, lower platelet serotonin concentration in migraine patients is independent of the 5-HTTLPR variants

• Published in: Neuroscience letters 2003-10, Vol.350 (1), p.56-60
• Main Authors: Juhasz, Gabriella, Zsombok, Terezia, Laszik, Andras, Jakus, Rita, Faludi, Gabor, Sotonyi, Peter, Bagdy, Gyorgy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Alleles; Analysis of Variance; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Platelets - metabolism; Carrier Proteins - genetics; Case-Control Studies; Chi-Square Distribution; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Female; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Genotypes; Headache; Humans; Medical sciences; Membrane Glycoproteins - genetics; Membrane Transport Proteins; Migraine; Migraine Disorders - blood; Migraine Disorders - genetics; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neurology; Platelet serotonin; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polymorphism; Polymorphism, Genetic; Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; Serotonin; Serotonin - blood; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; Serotonin transporter; Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system
• ISSN: 0304-3940; 1872-7972
• DOI: 10.1016/S0304-3940(03)00834-6

Platelet serotonin (5-HT) concentrations in a headache-free period during the mid-follicular phase and the serotonin transporter gene regulatory region polymorphism ( 5-HTTLPR) were measured in female migraine patients without aura ( n=64) and healthy controls ( n=42). High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the platelet 5-HT concentration and genetic polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction. Significantly lower platelet 5-HT concentrations were found in migraine patients compared to controls. Concerning the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, the S/S genotype was associated with a significantly higher platelet 5-HT concentration ( P=0.027) in the whole study population. This association between the 5-HTTLPR genotypes and platelet 5-HT concentrations was independent of the diagnosis. In addition, the platelet 5-HT concentration was lower in migraineurs in all genotypes (S/S, S/L, L/L). In conclusion, 5-HTTLPR variants may have an effect on the platelet 5-HT concentrations, but the lower 5-HT concentrations in migraine patients seem to be determined by other factors.