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Stockholm, Sweden — Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have made a significant breakthrough in the study of cluster headache, a debilitating primary headache disorder with limited treatment options. Their findings, published in The Journal of Headache and Pain, highlight a promising new therapeutic target linked to the genetic underpinnings of this condition.
Led by Andrea Carmine Belin, Principal Researcher at the Centre for Cluster Headache, Department of Neuroscience, the team focused on MERTK, a gene identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) as strongly associated with cluster headache. They discovered elevated levels of both MERTK and its ligand Gal-3 in tissue samples from cluster headache patients compared to controls.
“The trigeminal ganglion, crucial in pain signaling during headache attacks, showed localization of both MERTK and Gal-3 in rat tissue, underscoring their potential role in cluster headache pathology,” explained Belin.
Caroline Ran, a research specialist and co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of their biobank, which includes biological samples and clinical data from cluster headache patients and healthy individuals. This resource enabled detailed characterization of MERTK, paving the way for potential therapeutic interventions.
Felicia Jennysdotter Olofsgård, a PhD student involved in the study, highlighted the implications of their findings: “Current treatments for cluster headache often fall short, leaving patients with significant side effects and no cure. Our discovery of elevated MERTK and Gal-3 levels suggests a new avenue for targeted therapies.”
The team plans to expand their research by investigating MERTK in other cell and tissue types, exploring its interaction with neuroinflammatory processes in the trigeminal ganglion. Collaborators from Lund University, Jacob Edvinsson and Lars Edvinsson, contributed to the study’s multidisciplinary approach.
“Understanding MERTK’s role across different headache disorders, including migraines, could uncover broader implications for treatment strategies,” added Belin, noting similarities in symptomatology and treatment approaches between cluster headaches and migraines.
Funded by the Mellby Gård Foundation and the Swedish Brain Foundation, this research represents a crucial step towards developing targeted therapies for cluster headache, potentially offering relief to thousands affected worldwide.
For further insights into their ongoing studies and future directions, the team aims to deepen their understanding of MERTK’s involvement in headache disorders beyond cluster headaches.
