At the Duke University Medical Centre in the US, researchers have completed a genomic screen of Parkinson's disease suggesting that multiple genes are involved in the origins of the most common form of Parkinson's disease that occurs later in life
The findings provide strong evidence that Parkinson's disease has an important genetic component and is not caused exclusively by environmental factors, said Margaret Pericak-Vance, director of Duke's Centre for Human Genetics.
The findings challenge the results of previously published studies of twins that suggest environmental factors are the primary cause of Parkinson's disease, with only a minor genetic contribution.
While most scientists agree there is a genetic link, the consensus has been that it is mostly in the rare, early-onset form of the disease in people diagnosed before age 40.
"Like many complex traits, it's likely that Parkinson's disease is caused by a web of interacting genetic and environmental risk factors, in which specific genetic templates are more susceptible to the influences of environmental exposures. Further studies to identify the molecular pathways affected by the responsible genes will provide invaluable insight into the complex etiology and potential treatment of Parkinson's disease," Pericak-Vance said.
The Duke researchers led a team from 16 institutions across the US and Australia searching for families with one or more members with Parkinson's disease. The researchers identified 174 families and collected blood samples from as many members as possible to conduct genetic analyses to spot any common genetic factors that might confer susceptibility to Parkinson's.
The study provides strong evidence that several genes may influence the development of late-onset Parkinson's and that age at onset and response to the commonly prescribed drug levodopa may be useful discriminators for genetic origins of Parkinson's.
For more information visit Duke University Medical Centre.
