gene polymorphism in Russian patients with panic disorder.

Background: Panic disorder is a complex disease of unclear etiology but with an apparent genetic component. gene product is involved in many cell processes owing to its function-regulation of the level of a second messenger cAMP. gene polymorphism has been shown to be associated with some mental disorders including panic disorder.

Headache service quality: evaluation of quality indicators in 14 specialist-care centres.

Background: The study was a collaboration between Lifting The Burden (LTB) and the European Headache Federation (EHF). Its aim was to evaluate the implementation of quality indicators for headache care Europe-wide in specialist headache centres (level-3 according to the EHF/LTB standard).

Methods: Employing previously-developed instruments in 14 such centres, we made enquiries, in each, of health-care providers (doctors, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists) and 50 patients, and analysed the medical records of 50 other patients.

Biomarkers of migraine: Part 1 - Genetic markers.

Background: Migraine is a multifactorial socially significant disease affecting the peripheral and central nervous system. The diagnosis of "migraine" is still the only clinical, and additional methods of inspection are only required to avoid secondary headaches if certain "signs of danger". Accordingly, the search for biomarkers of migraine, confirming the diagnosis, rather than refuting others, is the leading vector in this scientific field.

Effects of MTHFR gene polymorphism on the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of migraine.

Background: It was previously shown that the MTHFR gene polymorphism correlated with an increased risk of migraine, particularly migraine with aura. The substitution of cytosine for thymine at the position 677 of the MTHFR gene leads to formation of the thermolabile form of the protein and development of hyperhomocysteinemia, which increases the probability of migraine. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the replacement of C677T in the gene MTHFR influenced any particular symptoms of the disease.