Gene Linked To Migraine Likely Propagated To Help Humans Adapt To Cold Climate

[Jovialis]

A group of researchers concludes that a gene variant commonly linked to migraines may have spread because early humans needed it to thrive amid cold climates.

The World Health Organization estimates that a migraine is one of the common headache disorders suffered by one in every seven adults in the world. The organization noted that for some unknown reason, the condition appears less common in the Far East region consisting of East Asia, Russian Far East, and Southeast Asia.

The recent study, headed by Felix Key of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, noted that a migraine is highest in individuals of European descent. This is also the population that possesses the highest frequency of the TRPM8, the gene that helps humans adapt to a cold environment.

TRPM8 gene is also associated with a variant, which in return, is commonly attributed to migraines.

Early Human Population
The researchers noted that ancient population migrated from Africa to colder locations in Asia, Europe, and other parts of the world within the last 50,000 years.

"This colonization could have been accompanied by genetic adaptations that helped early humans respond to cold temperatures," explains Aida Andres, who supervised the study published in the journal PLOS Genetics.

Key and his team suspected that this particular adaptation to the freezing environment may have added to the factors that made migraines prevalent in a particular group of the population. To support this hypothesis, the team examined the TRPM8, a gene that allows people to detect and respond to cold temperatures.

Their analysis revealed that a genetic variant upstream from the TRPM8 developed progressively more common in people living in higher altitudes during the last 25,000 years. This detail remains observable at present with the gene variant commonly carried by people living in higher altitudes and with a colder environment.

Interestingly, only 5 percent of people with Nigerian descent possess the gene variant while 88 percent of those with Finnish lineage carry the trait.

"This study nicely shows how past evolutionary pressures can influence present-day phenotypes," Key highlights.

What Triggers Migraine

WHO says that a migraine is three times more common in women than in men, probably due to hormonal factors. While the condition mostly affects those aged between 35 and 45, it can also affect children.

According to the American Migraine Foundation, storms, excessive heat, and changes to barometric pressure are also common causes of a migraine.

The condition might also be triggered by stress with one recent study showing that 50 to 70 percent of people with migraines showed a correlation between daily stress and frequent attacks.

A migraine can also be triggered by irregular sleep, caffeine and alcohol consumption, as well as food containing histamine and MSG.

Chocolate, cheese, artificial sweeteners, and cured meats also commonly trigger migraines, as well as dehydration, medication overuse, perfumes, food with strong smells, and the stench of chemicals, and gasoline.

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/2...elp-ancient-humans-adapt-to-cold-climates.htm

Human local adaptation of the TRPM8 cold receptor along a latitudinal cline


Ambient temperature is a critical environmental factor for all living organisms. It was likely an important selective force as modern humans recently colonized temperate and cold Eurasian environments. Nevertheless, as of yet we have limited evidence of local adaptation to ambient temperature in populations from those environments. To shed light on this question, we exploit the fact that humans are a cosmopolitan species that inhabit territories under a wide range of temperatures. Focusing on cold perception–which is central to thermoregulation and survival in cold environments–we show evidence of recent local adaptation on TRPM8. This gene encodes for a cation channel that is, to date, the only temperature receptor known to mediate an endogenous response to moderate cold. The upstream variant rs10166942 shows extreme population differentiation, with frequencies that range from 5% in Nigeria to 88% in Finland (placing this SNP in the 0.02% tail of the FST empirical distribution). When all populations are jointly analyzed, allele frequencies correlate with latitude and temperature beyond what can be explained by shared ancestry and population substructure. Using a Bayesian approach, we infer that the allele originated and evolved neutrally in Africa, while positive selection raised its frequency to different degrees in Eurasian populations, resulting in allele frequencies that follow a latitudinal cline. We infer strong positive selection, in agreement with ancient DNA showing high frequency of the allele in Europe 3,000 to 8,000 years ago. rs10166942 is important phenotypically because its ancestral allele is protective of migraine. This debilitating disorder varies in prevalence across human populations, with highest prevalence in individuals of European descent–precisely the population with the highest frequency of rs10166942 derived allele. We thus hypothesize that local adaptation on previously neutral standing variation may have contributed to the genetic differences that exist in the prevalence of migraine among human populations today.


http://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1007298

 

[Angela]

A group of researchers concludes that a gene variant commonly linked to migraines may have spread because early humans needed it to thrive amid cold climates.

The World Health Organization estimates that a migraine is one of the common headache disorders suffered by one in every seven adults in the world. The organization noted that for some unknown reason, the condition appears less common in the Far East region consisting of East Asia, Russian Far East, and Southeast Asia.

The recent study, headed by Felix Key of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, noted that a migraine is highest in individuals of European descent. This is also the population that possesses the highest frequency of the TRPM8, the gene that helps humans adapt to a cold environment.

TRPM8 gene is also associated with a variant, which in return, is commonly attributed to migraines.

Early Human Population
The researchers noted that ancient population migrated from Africa to colder locations in Asia, Europe, and other parts of the world within the last 50,000 years.

"This colonization could have been accompanied by genetic adaptations that helped early humans respond to cold temperatures," explains Aida Andres, who supervised the study published in the journal PLOS Genetics.

Key and his team suspected that this particular adaptation to the freezing environment may have added to the factors that made migraines prevalent in a particular group of the population. To support this hypothesis, the team examined the TRPM8, a gene that allows people to detect and respond to cold temperatures.

Their analysis revealed that a genetic variant upstream from the TRPM8 developed progressively more common in people living in higher altitudes during the last 25,000 years. This detail remains observable at present with the gene variant commonly carried by people living in higher altitudes and with a colder environment.

Interestingly, only 5 percent of people with Nigerian descent possess the gene variant while 88 percent of those with Finnish lineage carry the trait.

"This study nicely shows how past evolutionary pressures can influence present-day phenotypes," Key highlights.

What Triggers Migraine

WHO says that a migraine is three times more common in women than in men, probably due to hormonal factors. While the condition mostly affects those aged between 35 and 45, it can also affect children.

According to the American Migraine Foundation, storms, excessive heat, and changes to barometric pressure are also common causes of a migraine.

The condition might also be triggered by stress with one recent study showing that 50 to 70 percent of people with migraines showed a correlation between daily stress and frequent attacks.

A migraine can also be triggered by irregular sleep, caffeine and alcohol consumption, as well as food containing histamine and MSG.

Chocolate, cheese, artificial sweeteners, and cured meats also commonly trigger migraines, as well as dehydration, medication overuse, perfumes, food with strong smells, and the stench of chemicals, and gasoline.

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/2...elp-ancient-humans-adapt-to-cold-climates.htm

I definitely believe that, as they say, there's a hormonal link, but it can and does affect men as well. Both my brother and I inherited it from my mother. In his case he figured out that caffeine triggered it. (He consumed an unholy amount per day.) Stress is also a factor for both of us, as are seasonal allergies.

In addition to the excruciating pain, the visual disturbances can be quite scary until you learn which ones are typical for it and shouldn't terrify you. Unlike my mother I very rarely get the extreme nausea and vomiting.

If I take three advil at the first sign of pain and blurring of vision it tends to pass. I once got one on the highway with both children strapped into child safety seats. As I was all alone, I had to drive to a highway stop restaurant and wait an hour and a half for it to pass. Not fun. If you get them, never travel without whatever medication you use.

 

[Jovialis]

I definitely believe that, as they say, there's a hormonal link, but it can and does affect men as well. Both my brother and I inherited it from my mother. In his case he figured out that caffeine triggered it. (He consumed an unholy amount per day.) Stress is also a factor for both of us, as are seasonal allergies.

In addition to the excruciating pain, the visual disturbances can be quite scary until you learn which ones are typical for it and shouldn't terrify you. Unlike my mother I very rarely get the extreme nausea and vomiting.

If I take three advil at the first sign of pain and blurring of vision it tends to pass. I once got one on the highway with both children strapped into child safety seats. As I was all alone, I had to drive to a highway stop restaurant and wait an hour and a half for it to pass. Not fun. If you get them, never travel without whatever medication you use.

My father used to get migraines as well. He also had irregular sleep often, and seasonal allergies.

I'm not sure if I'm sometimes experiencing sinus headaches, or if I may be getting migraines. Because there's certain things that trigger it. For example, if I don't sleep well, or if I have even only a bit of alcohol, I sometimes wake up with a headache, and pressure on my face. I'm not sure if that's either allergies (indoor and outdoor), or a migraine triggered by the allergies, and other things. Nevertheless, flonase, claritin-D, and ibuprofen relieves the pressure quickly.

I was just reading this:

https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/understanding-migraine/sinus-headaches/

 

[Angela]

My father used to get migraines as well. He also had irregular sleep often, and seasonal allergies.

I'm not sure if I'm sometimes experiencing sinus headaches, or if I may be getting migraines. Because there's certain things that trigger it. For example, if I don't sleep well, or if I have even only a bit of alcohol, I sometimes wake up with a headache, and pressure on my face. I'm not sure if that's either allergies (indoor and outdoor), or a migraine triggered by the allergies, and other things. Nevertheless, flonase, claritin-D, and ibuprofen relieves the pressure quickly.

I was just reading this:

https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/understanding-migraine/sinus-headaches/

Fwiw, what they're describing isn't my experience. When I have migraines and visual disturbance (first blurriness, then a corona, followed by pain on one side) I never feel pressure on my cheekbones near my nose, although I do feel a "tightness" around my forehead, as if it's being constricted by a band. When I get a sinus infection, it literally hurts when I press my cheeks, my nose, and around my eyes, but although I also have a headache, it's nothing like a migraine. Migraine pain is excruciating, I was told it often affects only one side of your head, you can't bear light hitting your eyes, and, as I said, it can be preceded by visual disturbances, as in my case.

See:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9nXBSDf4yg

 

[Jovialis]

Fwiw, what they're describing isn't my experience. When I have migraines and visual disturbance (first blurriness, then a corona, followed by pain on one side) I never feel pressure on my cheekbones near my nose, although I do feel a "tightness" around my forehead, as if it's being constricted by a band. When I get a sinus infection, it literally hurts when I press my cheeks, my nose, and around my eyes, but although I also have a headache, it's nothing like a migraine. Migraine pain is excruciating, I was told it often affects only one side of your head, you can't bear light hitting your eyes, and, as I said, it can be preceded by visual disturbances, as in my case.

See:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9nXBSDf4yg

That sounds pretty rough, I didn't know it could be that severe; especially the visual aspect. Thankfully, you made it to that restaurant.

 

[Angela]

That sounds pretty rough, I didn't know it could be that severe; especially the visual aspect. Thankfully, you made it to that restaurant.

It's just another blip on the road. If it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger. Plus, unlike my poor mother, who got them virtually without fail once a month and was incapacitated for a day or two with excruciating pain, sometimes virtual blindness, and also bouts of vomiting, mine were milder and more infrequent. I would get them more frequently when I was particularly stressed, as I was at that time of my life because my mother was dying of a primary brain tumor, and I had two babies, a job, a husband etc. Also, unluckily for her, there were no anti-inflammatories when she was younger, or they didn't know that they would work for migraines. They ameliorated for her when they found she had high blood pressure and put her on medication. It makes sense because this involves the tightening of the blood vessels in the brain. A lot of women also find relief when they go through menopause.

This is pretty accurate for me:

This is what I see, sometimes the inside can be foggy or black; when it's black is when it's really dangerous.

 

[davef]

^^ you seem well read when it comes to self care, could you do me a favor and let me know how I can stop my left eye from tearing and burning? I woke up feeling like a faucet of boiling water turned on in that eye

 

[Angela]

^^ you seem well read when it comes to self care, could you do me a favor and let me know how I can stop my left eye from tearing and burning? I woke up feeling like a faucet of boiling water turned on in that eye

Sounds like an allergic reaction of some sort, or perhaps an insect bite. This is certainly the season for it. I would take some over the counter allergy medication and see if it ameliorates. It's also a good idea to wash bed linens frequently in hot water to make sure there's no accumulation of dust or other allergens, etc. If it persists, of course you should see your GP.

 

[davef]

Sounds like an allergic reaction of some sort, or perhaps an insect bite. This is certainly the season for it. I would take some over the counter allergy medication and see if it ameliorates. It's also a good idea to wash bed linens frequently in hot water to make sure there's no accumulation of dust or other allergens, etc. If it persists, of course you should see your GP.

Thank you! Sorry for going off topic, but I was in total panic mode when i posted that bc i never experienced that symptom before and I'm a bit paranoid of cancer since ive had so many family members die from it (yes, I was worried it was a cancer symptom). It went away when I woke up, but I was having difficulty breathing (nasally) while eating a big piece of pork and the pork made my nose feel a bit awkward afterwords, and my eyes did burn up a bit after that.

I exercise intenesly and its not uncommon for me to sweat into my eyes (because nature isn't satisfied with just my legs burning) so I may have gotten some germs into my eyeballs; and most of the discomfort I experienced yesterday stemmed from my eyes and nose.

Might need to see an ear nose throat doctor if these issues persist.

 

[Salento]

Thank you! Sorry for going off topic, but I was in total panic mode when i posted that bc i never experienced that symptom before and I'm a bit paranoid of cancer since ive had so many family members die from it (yes, I was worried it was a cancer symptom). It went away when I woke up, but I was having difficulty breathing (nasally) while eating a big piece of pork and the pork made my nose feel a bit awkward afterwords, and my eyes did burn up a bit after that.

I exercise intenesly and its not uncommon for me to sweat into my eyes (because nature isn't satisfied with just my legs burning) so I may have gotten some germs into my eyeballs; and most of the discomfort I experienced yesterday stemmed from my eyes and nose.

Might need to see an ear nose throat doctor if these issues persist.

If you have allergies buy some local organic honey, take 1 spoon everyday for 3-4 month. Some people swear by it.
- Otorinolaringoiatra - is one of the funniest word in Italian, it means ear nose throat doctor. Get Better Davef!

 

[davef]

^^Thanks, I'll look into that