Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene Polymorphism in Korean Patients with Migraine or Ischemic Stroke

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism has been implicated in both migraine and ischemic stroke. The homozygous C677T mutation in the MTHFR gene was more frequent in the Japanese and Turkish migraineurs than in the control group. Positive associations have also been found in ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of MTHFR C677T polymorphism in Korean patients with migraine or ischemic stroke. METHODS: We analyzed the allele frequencies and genotype of MTHFR C677T polymorphism in 115 patients with migraine, 213 with cerebral infarction, and 73 controls. RESULTS: There was no significantly increased frequency of homozygosity for the T677 allele in both of the diagnostic groups, compared to the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism is unlikely to play a major role in the pathogenesis of migraine or ischemic stroke in Korean patients.