Emily Bates, a professor at the University of Utah, may have discovered the culprit behind the recurring migraines she has suffered from since she was little. It would be a gene called CKIdelta, which plays an important role in many vital functions of the brain. This discovery could open the way to a new understanding of one of the most common forms of migraine: recurrent migraines. “I have suffered from this particularly debilitating form of migraine since I was little: headaches which are accompanied by nausea, visual disturbances and which can leave me on the sidelines for a day” explains Professor Emily Bates.
So she embarked on genetic studies to understand the reasons for his migraines.
For this study, Professor Bates and researchers from the University of California studied mice carrying the CKIdelta gene. It’s hard to guess if mice suffer from migraines, but they studied their reactions to pain and light. And discovered that their symptoms responded well to painkillers. “The discovery of this gene could pave the way for new research to find treatments capable of changing the daily lives of people who suffer from migraine insists Professor Emily Bates.
