Posted by Bob P (129.65.46.87) on January 14, 2002 at 09:22:42:
In Reply to: I was just wondering!!?? posted by bob baker on January 13, 2002 at 22:14:37:
but it is small. Here is a copy of a study that was done. Dr. Goadsby is also looking into the heredity factor.
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Heritability of cluster headache.
Montagna P, Mochi M, Prologo G, Sangiorgi S, Pierangeli G, Cevoli S, Cortelli P
Institute of Clinical Neurology, University of Bologna, Italy.
We conducted a pedigree analysis in 222 patients with cluster headaches (CHs) in order to assess a familial predisposition to the disease. Heritability was determined by Falconer’s index (from the incidence of CH among first degree relatives of probands compared with a control population), which varies between 0 and 1 (none or full genetic causation).A positive family history (I/II degree relatives) was found in 2.3% of our
CH patients. Three generations were affected in one family and two generations in another two families. The calculated Falconer’s heritability index was, however, only 0.26 +/- 0.25 SD. Our study confirms a higher familial occurrence of CH, some families showing a pattern compatible with autosomal dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance. The low Falconer’s index indicates, however, a large non-genetic causation in most cases of CH.
PMID: 10210856, UI: 99338339