[The genetics of Parkinson disease].
BACKGROUND
Parkinson's disease, PD, is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. A genetic component in Parkinson's disease was long thought to be unlikely, but recent genetic studies have identified several genes associated with the disease.


METHODS
A review of the literature and personal experiences from genetic studies in central Norway are presented.


RESULTS
Nine loci on the human genome have been linked to Parkinson's disease. Mutations in the alfa-synuclein, parkin, DJ-1, and arguably UCH-L1 genes are identified for familial PD. Recently a locus on chromosome 1 was linked to common late-onset PD in the Icelandic population. Iceland's population is primarily of Norse descent. This locus may be of significant importance to Norwegian PD patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The genes and loci identified have improved our understanding of the pathogenesis in PD significantly. This knowledge may help to create new treatment strategies for PD.
Toft
Mathias
M
Institutt for nevromedisin, Det medisinske fakultet, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet.
Aasly
Jan
J
D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D000071617:Protein Deglycase DJ-1; D051843:Synucleins; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / Q000235:genetics*
D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D051843:Synucleins; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; C111567:parkin protein; C105131:PARK7 protein, human; D000071617:Protein Deglycase DJ-1