Work

Recent Advances in the Genetics of Parkinson's Disease

Year: 2011

Type: review

Abstract: Genetic studies have provided valuable insight into the pathological mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease (PD). The elucidation of genetic components to what was once largely considered a nongenetic disease has given rise to a multitude of cell and animal models enabling the dissection of molecular pathways involved in disease etiology. Here, we review advances obtained from models of dominant mutations in α-synuclein and LRRK2 as well as recessive PINK1, parkin and DJ-1 mutations. Recent genome-wide association studies have implicated genetic variability at two of these loci, α-synuclein and LRRK2, as significant risk factors for developing sporadic PD. This, coupled with the established role of mitochondrial impairment in both familial and sporadic PD, highlights the likelihood of common mechanisms fundamental to the etiology of both.

Source: Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics

DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-082410-101440

Authors: Ian Martin, Valina L. Dawson, Ted M. Dawson

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments

Subfield: Clinical Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: U.S. Public Health Service, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke