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Background/Objectives: Several studies have shown a relationship between vitamin D and migraine, including the association between decreased serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D in patients with migraine and the positive effects of vitamin D supplementations in the therapy of this disease. Two single‐nucleotide variants (SNVs) vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, VDR rs2228570, and VDR rs731236 have shown an association with migraine risk in a previous case–control association study, while an exome sequencing study identified a rare variant in GC vitamin D binding protein gene. This study aims to look for the association between several common variants in these two genes and the risk for migraine. Methods: We genotyped 290 patients diagnosed with migraine and 300 age‐matched controls using specific TaqMan assays for VDR rs2228570, VDR rs731236, VDR rs7975232, VDR rs739837, VDR rs78783628, GC rs7041, and GC rs4588 SNVs. Results: We did not find an association between these SNVs and the risk for migraine. None of these SNVs were related to the positivity of a family history of migraine or with the presence of aura. The VDR rs731236A allele showed a significant association with the triggering of migraine attacks by ethanol (Pc = 0.007). Conclusions: In summary, the results of the current study suggest a lack of association between common SNVs in the VDR and GC gene and the risk of developing migraine. The possible relationship between VDR rs731236 and the triggering of migraine episodes with ethanol deserves future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives: Histamine has shown a possible role in the etiopathogenesis of migraine. It has been reported an association between some polymorphisms in the diamine oxidase (DAO) gene and migraine, especially in women. Two studies addressing DAO activity in migraine patients showed conflicting results. We investigated the possible relationship of serum DAO activity and histamine levels and 3 polymorphisms in the DAO gene with the risk for migraine. Methods: We studied the frequencies of DAO rs10156191, rs1049742 and rs1049793 genotypes and allelic variants in 298 migraine patients and 360 healthy controls (using a TaqMan‐based qPCR assay), and serum DAO activity and histamine levels in a subset of 99 migraine patients and 115 controls with strict exclusion criteria, and analysed the relationship of these variables with several clinical features of migraine. Results: The frequencies of the DAO genotypes and allelic variants analysed were similar in migraine patients and controls. Serum DAO activity was significantly higher in migraine patients (Vmax/Km 4.24 ± 2.93 vs. 3.60 ± 7.64, p < 0.001), especially in females (Vmax/Km 4.63 ± 2.96 vs. 3.18 ± 2.32, p < 0.0001), while serum histamine was similar in both study groups. Conclusion: Serum DAO activity was increased in patients with migraine, especially in females, while serum histamine levels were normal. None of the studied polymorphisms was associated with the risk for migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of apathy on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in recently diagnosed Parkinson's disease (PD) has not been systematically investigated. The objective of this cross-sectional survey (ANIMO study) was to examine the contribution of apathy to HRQOL in a Spanish sample of recently diagnosed PD patients. PD patients, diagnosed within 2 years of inclusion, were recruited at 102 outpatient clinics in 82 communities throughout Spain. Apathy was quantified using the Lille Apathy Rating Scale and HRQOL with the EuroQol-5D questionnaire. A mean EuroQol-5D index score of 0.89 obtained from population references in Spain was used as the cutoff for this study. The relationship between apathy and the dichotomized EuroQol-5D index score (<0.89 [lower HRQOL] vs ≥0.89 [reference]) was examined using multiple logistic regression analysis, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables. We consecutively recruited 557 patients (60.3% men) with a mean age of 68.8 ± 9.7 years. Apathy was diagnosed in 291 (52.2%) and was related to problems in each of the EuroQoL dimensions. Apathetic PD patients showed EuroQol-5D index scores significantly lower than those without apathy (0.64 vs 0.83). In an adjusted model, apathetic PD patients were 2.49 times more likely to have lower HRQOL than nonapathetic patients (odds ratio, 2.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.49-4.15, P < 0.01). Apathy is very common in those with recently diagnosed PD and is one of the major clinical determinants of HRQOL in this disease. It should be one of the primary concerns among clinicians who provide treatment to individuals affected by PD. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]