Background

A brain disorder inducing serious and painful headache, associating with autonomic and
neurological symptoms, is known as Migraine. This disorder is developed from epigenetic
mechanisms that affect the chromatin structure and gene expression; consisting of both DNA
methylation and post-translational modifications of the tails of histone proteins. The processes of
epigenetic play a significant important role within human body as they cause changes to the DNA
structure without changing the genetic code. Thus, these processes influence the chromatin
structure to remodel, which eventually affect the transcriptional potential and expression of genes.
The main modification that occurs are marks- the post-translational modifications of the tails of
histone proteins and DNA methylation, which can be inherited through cell division. Apart from
playing an important role in developmental stage-specific regulation of gene expression,
epigenetic mechanisms are also significant for programming lasting responses to environmental
factors. These factors may trigger the attack of migraine, which can be both non-genetic
endogenous ad exogenous, including female sex hormones, stress hormones, and inflammation.
Migraine, although, can cause a severe pain toward the patient, its etiology is sadly still far from
resolved.
For this study, we will focus on familial hemiplegic migraine; a type of migraine that
normally cause pain in one area of the head accompanying with nausea, vomiting, and extreme
sensitivity to light and sound. We will examine how stress hormone released from the body can
trigger an autosomal dominant gene to be expressed.

Question
Could the amount of time students spend on their homework increase the chance of developing
migraine disorder if they are already genetically pre-disposed to migraine?

Experiment
Purpose: To determine whether or not the amount of time spent on homework can cause more
students to develop a migraine if they are already genetically pre-disposed to the disorder.
Hypothesis: The amount of time spent on homework will impact the number of migraines
experienced.
Prediction: If a student that is already genetically pre-disposed to migraine spends longer on
their homework and assignments on each night, then more likely a student will develop a
migraine.
Materials:
1. Survey
Method:
1. Conduct a survey with 40 students that are genetically have migraine disorder. (Use
pedigree method to determine genetic history)
2. Compare the average amount of time students spent on their homework each night and
how many times they developed migraine in each week.
3. Take cell samples at the beginning and end of the study and quantify of the DNA
methylation of the autosomal dominant gene from the students.
4. Record both of the data collected from 40 students into the table.
5. Plot those data onto the scatter plot graph.
6. Observe any trends. Plot line of best fit.

Data Table and Graph:

Students

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

Average time students

Frequency of migraine

spent on their homework

students developed in

each night (hour)

each week

DNA Sample
Before

After

19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

Frequency of migraine/week

6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0

Amount of time (Hours)

Control
1. Type of student:
-

Same age group of students

Same gender of students

All of the students must have inherited any migraine disorder from their ancestors

2. Types of homework given:

-

Same difficultness of homework level (Make sure that all of the students are studying
in the same study course)

Implications
This experiment will allow us to determine how stress hormones can trigger migraine genes to be
expressed. This can lead to further development of etiology to cure and help people who suffer
from migraine disorder or recognize times prior to onset.

Bibliography
Else Eising, N. A. (4, February 2013). Epigenetic mechanisms in migraine: a promising
avenue? Retrieved December 5, 2016, from BioMed Central:
http://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1741-7015-11-26
Staff, M. C. (2016, June 17). Migraine. Retrieved December 5, 2016, from Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/home/ovc-20202432