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Epilepsy and Migraine Shared Genetic and Molecular Mechanisms: Focus on Therapeutic Strategies

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Abstract

Epilepsy and migraine are both episodic disorders and share clinical as well as pathophysiological mechanisms. The prevalence of epilepsy in migraine patients is generally higher than normal as compared to general population and vice versa. Various environmental risk factors and genetic factors have been reported to be associated with susceptibility of these comorbid diseases. Specific genes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the two diseases. However, the shared genetic susceptibility has not been explored extensively. Previous studies have reported that the alterations in the genes encoding ion channel proteins are common risk factors for both the diseases. The alterations in ion channel-encoding genes CACNAIA (T666M) and SCNIA (Q1489K and L1649Q) have been found to be involved in the development of familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) as well as generalized epilepsy and some cases of focal epilepsy as well. The fact that both these disorders are treated with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) strongly supports common underlying mechanisms. This review has been compiled with an aim to explore the alterations in common genes involved in various pathways regulating neuronal hyperexcitability, a common risk factor for both these conditions. The avenue for future treatment strategies targeting common genes and molecular mechanisms has also been discussed.

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Acknowledgements

Financial assistance from Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) India is highly acknowledged.

Funding

Financial support to Mr. Abhilash Ludhiadch (Award No-09/1051(0029)/2 019-EMR-1) from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) India is highly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Complex Disease Genomics and Precision Medicine Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, 151001, India

    Palvi Gotra, Nidhi Bhardwaj, Abhilash Ludhiadch & Anjana Munshi

  2. Department of Neurology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India

    Gagandeep Singh

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  1. Palvi Gotra
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  2. Nidhi Bhardwaj
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Contributions

Prof Anjana Munshi and Prof Gagandeep Singh contributed to the conception and design of the study. Ms. Palvi Gotra and Ms. Nidhi Bhardwaj performed the literature survey and helped in writing the manuscript along with Mr. Abhilash Ludhiadch. Both Ms. Palvi Gotra and Ms. Nidhi Bhardwaj also helped in drawing the figures. Mr. Abhilash Ludhiadch compiled the study and edited the manuscript

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Correspondence to Anjana Munshi.

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Gotra, P., Bhardwaj, N., Ludhiadch, A. et al. Epilepsy and Migraine Shared Genetic and Molecular Mechanisms: Focus on Therapeutic Strategies. Mol Neurobiol 58, 3874–3883 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-021-02386-x

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