Familial occurrence in primary headaches

Abstract

This paper reviews the literature of genetic epidemiology in primary headaches. Migraine without aura and migraine with aura are distinct disorders. Both are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Tension–type headache. The episodic form is most likely non–genetic, while the chronic form is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Cluster headache has previously not been thought to be genetic. However, first degree relatives of cluster headache sufferers have a 14–46 fold significantly increased risk of cluster headache, compared to the general population.