Study: Circadian Rhythm Gene Variants Increase Risk of Migraines from Financial Hardship

Researchers have shown that financial stress may cause more migraines in individuals with variants in the circadian rhythm gene CLOCK, suggesting that the genetics of circadian rhythms and presence of chronic stresses interact to influence the likelihood of migraine problems.

Migraines take a toll on around 1 billion people. This work by Baksa et al. indicates that individuals with certain gene variants in the CLOCK gene, which is involved in circadian rhythms, are at a higher risk of migraines when they are exposed to financial hardship. Image credit: Sasha Wolff / CC BY 2.0.

Migraines wreak havoc on 1 billion people worldwide, leading to both personal and economic costs. The etiology of migraines has proven to be difficult to untangle, likely due to the complex combination of risk factors at play.

Circadian rhythms are natural 24-hour cycles that regulate our sleep and hunger schedules which have been associated with multiple diseases such as obesity and cancer.

Recent evidence has revealed a relationship between perturbation of circadian rhythms and mood disorders. The overlapping genetic features of mood disorders and migraines prompted scientists from Semmelweis University, Eotvos Lorand University and The University of Manchester to collaborate to uncover the link between circadian rhythms and migraines.

The CLOCK gene is an integral regulator of circadian rhythms that controls the expression of other circadian genes.

Common genetic variants in the CLOCK gene, migraine probability and financial hardship were measured in over 2,000 subjects from Budapest and Manchester. The scientists recently presented their findings at the 30th ECNP Congress in Paris, France.

Interestingly, no direct connection between the tested variants in CLOCK and probability of migraines was detected.

Instead, they found that individuals with the CLOCK gene variants have an elevated risk of migraines only if they experience high financial hardship.

These results indicate that the genetics of circadian rhythms and chronic stresses combine to influence the risk of migraines.

Lead author Daniel Baksa commented on the conclusions of the study: “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.”

“In the work presented here, 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. The investigated gene variants are present in around 1/3 of the population, so they are common variants with small effect size.”

“Our results shed light on one specific mechanism that may contribute to migraine. 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.”

The tested variants in the CLOCK gene influence the binding of macromolecules known as microRNAs (miRNAs), indicating targeting miRNAs may be a potential therapeutic avenue in diseases caused by disruption of circadian rhythms.

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Daniel Baksa et al. 2017. Financial hardship may trigger migraine through circadian dysregulation – a possible role for the CLOCK gene. 30th ECNP Congress, abstract # P.1.a.004