The genetic basis of Parkinson's disease.
Although the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease are not fully understood, considerable evidence suggests that genetic factors can influence susceptibility to the disease. In this article, we critically review this evidence and examine studies estimating patterns of inheritance. In a few families, Parkinson's disease is clearly inherited in a Mendelian fashion, and in some of these the disease causing genes have already been identified. Possible pathogenic mechanisms by which these genes cause Parkinson's disease are discussed. Further candidate genes and systematic efforts to identify genes influencing susceptibility to the disease in general are also summarised. The identification of such susceptibility genes will eventually enable us to more accurately classify this complex disease.
Foltynie
T
T
Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. tf210@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Sawcer
S
S
Brayne
C
C
Barker
R A
RA
D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002878:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 / Q000235:genetics; D002889:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2 / Q000235:genetics; D002894:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 / Q000235:genetics; D002896:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6 / Q000235:genetics; D019389:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6 / Q000235:genetics; D004777:Environment; D008040:Genetic Linkage / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008025:Ligases / Q000235:genetics*; D028361:Mitochondrial Diseases / Q000235:genetics; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014427:Twins / Q000235:genetics; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
D019389:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; C111567:parkin protein; D008025:Ligases