[Migraine headache and mitochondrial DNA abnormality].

Migraine headache is a heterogenous group of neurologic disorders with high prevalence in the general population and strong familial aggregation. Epidemiologic evidence for frequent maternal transmission has long suggested a role for an altered mitochondrial genetic background. This is supported by the observation of impaired energy metabolism and mitochondrial function in migraine patients as well as by the frequent association of migraine headache in MELAS. In the literature, some patients having migraine headache are reported to have mitochondrial DNA abnormalities, however, systematic screening studies have failed to demonstrate the clear relationship between migraine headache and mitochondrial DNA abnormalities. Migraine may be associated with mutations of nuclear genes which encode respiratory chain enzymes.