Serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms in patients with chronic tension-type headache: A preliminary study

Background and Objectives: This study is designed to understand the pathophysiology of one of the most serious health problems, chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). Two polymorphic sites in serotonin transporter protein gene attracted much interest. These are: the variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) and 5′-flanking promoter region (5-HTTLPR). Materials and Methods: VNTR and 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms were investigated in 126 CTTH patients and 138 healthy control subjects. The patients were being treated with amitripytyline or citalopram or sertraline (SSRI). The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used to investigate the polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter protein gene. Results: There were no statistically significant results based on the 5-HTTLPR gene alleles, however, STin 2.12/12 genotype and STin 2.12 allele were seen to predominate the control group. In order to investigate the combined effect of the two polymorphic loci on the 5-HTT gene expression, samples were separated into nine groups. Genotypes (S/S-12/10) and (L/S-12/10) displayed statistically significant frequency in the CTTH group than in the control group. No significant differences were noticed between the 5-HTTLPR and VNTR haplotype groups and success in treatment. Conclusion: It is possible to make reliable comparisons and hypothesis about the homozygous and/or heterozygous presence of S and STin 12/10 alleles which may be in interaction with CTTH. On the other hand, the presence of homozygous L and STin12 alleles may play a protective role against CTTH. It is also possible that heterogeneity among diseases showing the same clinical research will require a lot of effort for individual identification

The COVID-19 from Neurological Overview

Elmali, Ayse Deniz/0000-0001-6380-9550; Afsar, Nazire/0000-0001-8123-8560; Sahin, Sevki/0000-0003-2016-9965;WOS: 000556540500002[No abstract available

Investigation of the Rho-kinase 2 gene Thr431Asn polymorphism in migraine

Background: Migraine has a complex etiology determined by genetic and environmental factors, but the molecular mechanisms and genetics of this disease have not yet been fully clarified. Aim: This case/control study was designed to analyze the genotype distributions and allele frequencies for the Rho-kinase 2 (ROCK2) gene Thr431Asn polymorphism among the migraine patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 155 migraine patients and 155 healthy age and sex matched controls were included in this study. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid from migraine patients and controls was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Neither genotype distributions nor the allele frequencies for the Thr431Asn polymorphism showed a significant difference between the groups. In addition, there were no marked differences in genotype and allele frequencies for the migraine without aura and migraine with aura subgroups when compared with control group. Conclusion: This is the first study to show that the ROCK2 gene Thr431Asn polymorphism is not a risk factor for the migraine in the Turkish population