Association between migraine and the G1246A polymorphism in the hypocretin receptor 2 gene.

Background: The hypocretin receptor 2 (HCRTR2) G1246A polymorphism has been associated with the risk for cluster headache. Since the hypothalamic hypocretin/orexin system projects throughout the nervous system and affects multiple vegetative functions including generation of rhythmicity, vasomotion, autonomic symptoms as well as modulation of nociception, it may also be linked with migraine.

Objective: We thus sought to evaluate whether the HCRTR2 G1246A polymorphism is associated with the risk for migraine.

The G1246A polymorphism in the hypocretin receptor 2 gene is not associated with treatment response in cluster headache.

The risk of cluster headache (CH) is associated with the G-allele of the G1246A polymorphism in the hypocretin receptor 2 (HCRTR2) gene. First-line medication is effective in only about 70-80% of CH patients. We hypothesized that the HCRTR2 G1246A polymorphism is also of pharmacogenetic relevance in CH and may affect treatment response.

Comment on "A common genetic variant is associated with adult and childhood obesity".

Contrary to the findings of Herbert et al. (Reports, 14 April 2006, p. 279), homozygous carriers of the C allele of the rs7566605 variant near the INSIG2 gene did not exhibit a significantly increased risk for obesity in a large population-based cross-sectional German study.

Cluster headache is associated with the G1246A polymorphism in the hypocretin receptor 2 gene.

The G1246A polymorphism in the gene of the hypocretin receptor 2 (HCRTR2) has been linked to the risk for cluster headache (CH). The authors examined this association in a large sample of 226 patients with CH and 266 controls from Germany. The genotype and allele distribution varied significantly between patients and controls.

[Informing psychiatric patients about medication - results of a query].

Purpose: Physicians are obliged to inform all patients about the purpose and risks of therapeutic procedures, also drug treatment. However, although there may be some severe difficulties in informing psychiatric patients only very few data concerning this topic are available as yet. Thus, the aim of this query was to evaluate the patients' opinion of the information about medication.