If you’re having money problems, having a certain DNA twist could leave you more susceptible to migraines.
Going through financial hardship can trigger the debilitating head pain in those with a variant in the CLOCK gene, researchers have found.
Carriers are 20 per cent more likely to be struck down by the common neurological disorder if they struggle to pay the bills, scientists claim.
The findings, made in search of a cure by British and Hungarian researchers, have been dubbed ‘interesting’ and ‘exciting’.
Experts behind the first study of its kind said the circadian gene variants investigated are present in around one third of the population
Going through financial hardship can trigger the debilitating head pain in those with a variant in the CLOCK gene, researchers have found
Lead author Daniel Baksa, of Semmelweis University, Budapest, said: ‘This work does not show what causes migraine – there is no single cause.
‘But it does show that both stress and genetics have an effect.
‘We were able to show that stress – represented by financial hardship – led to an increase in migraine in those who have a particular gene variant.’
It is believed the variants influence how much protein, which controls the body clock, the gene provides the body.
The scientists said this may then impair processes that can prevent migraines in the face of financial stress.
How was the study carried out?
For the study, researchers assessed 999 Hungarian patients and 1,350 from the UK for two variants of the CLOCK gene.
Such a gene plays a key role in regulating rhythmic patterns of the body, including temperature and levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.
They found that there was no significant direct connection between the gene and migraine – it only existed under financial stress.
The findings were proved true in both study groups, leading the researchers to believe it to be a ‘real effect’.
Mr Baksa, a PhD candidate, said: ‘What it does mean is that for many people, the stress caused by financial worries can physically affect you.
‘Migraine involves a huge health and financial burden each year, so any steps we can take to help patients understand their condition will be really welcome.’
Previous findings
Such genetic variants have previously been shown to affect mood disorders, with this study being the first to show a link to migraines.
But the researchers were quick to point out that further trials are needed to see if other circadian gene variants have the same effect.
The findings were presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology conference in Paris.
Professor Andreas Reif, from University Hospital, Frankfurt, who wasn’t involved in the study, welcomed the findings.
He said: ‘This is a really interesting study on the interaction of genetics with stress in migraine.
‘The study demonstrates how an environmental risk factor exerts its effect only in the presence of a given genetic risk factor.
‘This has not been done to a great extent in migraine, making this study an exciting new lead.’
What are migraines?
Migraines are believed to affect around one in seven of the population, with three quarters of sufferers being women.
It is more than just a headache – as well as pain other symptoms include disturbed vision, sensitivity to light, sound and smells, feeling sick and vomiting.
The incapacitating nature of migraines is underestimated and migraine is the sixth most disabling illness in the world, figures show.
Although painkillers and other drugs can ease the symptoms, they don’t work for everyone. And as of yet, no drugs have been found to actually prevent the attacks.
Severe headaches can be preceded by an aura – or visual disturbances such as flashing lights, shimmering lines and blind spots.