O015. Evaluation of the genetic polymorphism of the α3 (CHRNA3) and α5 (CHRNA5) nicotinic receptor subunits, in patients with cluster headache

About 80% of patients with cluster headache (CH) have a history of cigarette smoking[1]; a common genetic basis between CH and smoking has been suggested by the identification of a gene cluster on chromosome 15q25, encoding for neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunits α3, α5 and β4 (CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4). Receptors containing the α5 subunit contribute to nicotine withdrawal symptoms and anxiety modulation[2, 3].