Background
Migraine is a highly prevalent neurological disorder characterized by recurrent headaches, often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other disabling symptoms. While environmental triggers such as stress and diet contribute to migraine attacks, genetics play a powerful role in determining who develops migraine and why. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous genetic variants associated with migraine, implicating pathways related to neuronal signalling, vascular function, and pain processing. Notably, migraine also shares genetic architecture with conditions such as depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease, which suggests that migraine might be part of a broader network of interconnected biological mechanisms.
Aim
This project aims to investigate the genetic basis of migraine and its relationships with other traits by:
- Identifying genetic variants associated with migraine risk.
- Examining genetic correlations between migraine and other traits and disease.
- Evaluating whether polygenic risk scores (PRS) for migraine can predict risk for related conditions.
Approach
The project will utilize GWAS summary statistics from large migraine studies and other relevant datasets. Genetic correlations between migraine and related traits will be assessed using linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC). PRS will be calculated and tested for associations with other traits in independent cohorts. Statistical analyses will be performed using R and bioinformatics tools such as PLINK.
Project Potential
This project provides an opportunity to develop expertise in genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics, and data analysis while contributing to a better understanding of the biological links between migraine and other complex disorders.