Familial hemiplegic migraine facts for kids

Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) is a very rare type of migraine headache that comes with something called an aura. An aura is a set of symptoms that happen before or during the headache, like seeing flashing lights or having trouble speaking. FHM is a condition that people inherit from their parents. It causes a temporary weakness or even full paralysis on one side of the body, which can be quite scary.

What is Familial Hemiplegic Migraine?

Familial hemiplegic migraine is different from a regular migraine. The main difference is the temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the body. This can affect your arm, leg, or even your face. It's like one side of your body suddenly feels very heavy or won't move properly.

How Does FHM Happen?

FHM is caused by changes, called mutations, in certain genes. Genes are like instruction manuals for our bodies. When there's a change in these specific genes, it affects how nerve cells in the brain communicate. This can lead to the symptoms of FHM.

Genes Involved in FHM

Scientists have found a few genes linked to FHM. The most common ones are:

• CACNA1A (FHM1)
• ATP1A2 (FHM2)
• SCN1A (FHM3)

These genes help control how signals are sent in the brain. When they don't work right, it can cause the brain to become overactive, leading to a migraine with the added weakness.

What are the Symptoms of FHM?

The symptoms of FHM can vary a lot from person to person, even within the same family.

• Headache: This is often severe and throbbing, usually on one side of the head.
• Hemiplegia: This is the temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the body. It can last from a few minutes to several days.
• Aura: Before or during the headache, people might experience:
  • Visual changes, like zigzag lines, blind spots, or flashing lights.
  • Speech problems, such as slurred words or difficulty finding the right words.
  • Numbness or tingling sensations on one side of the body.
• Other symptoms: Some people might also feel dizzy, confused, or have trouble with coordination. In very rare cases, more severe symptoms like coma can occur, but this is not common.

How is FHM Diagnosed?

Diagnosing FHM usually involves a doctor looking at a person's symptoms and their family history. If other family members have similar symptoms, it makes FHM more likely. Doctors might also do genetic tests to look for changes in the genes known to cause FHM. This helps confirm the diagnosis.

Living with Familial Hemiplegic Migraine

While there's no cure for FHM, there are ways to manage the symptoms.

• Medication: Doctors can prescribe medicines to help prevent FHM attacks or to lessen the severity of symptoms when an attack happens.
• Avoiding Triggers: Like other migraines, FHM attacks can be triggered by certain things. These might include stress, lack of sleep, certain foods, or bright lights. Learning and avoiding these triggers can help reduce the number of attacks.
• Support: Living with a rare condition can be challenging. Support groups and talking to doctors who specialize in FHM can be very helpful.

Images for kids

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  This picture shows the structure of a protein called Na+/K+-ATPase. The purple parts show where changes (mutations) in the ATP1A2 gene, which causes FHM2, are located. This protein helps send signals in our brain cells.