title: Genetic testing in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder of adulthood characterized clinically by rigidity, bradykinesia, resting tremor, and postural instability. The annual incidence of PD ranges between 16 and 19 individuals per 100,000 (Twelves et al., Mov Disord 2003;18:19-31). Historically, PD has been commonly viewed as an idiopathic or environmentally triggered condition. However, as is true with most common conditions, there have been several families reported with PD who demonstrate a classic Mendelian pattern of inheritance. To date, nine genetic loci have been reported and four pathogenic genes have been identified: alpha-synuclein, parkin, DJ1, and PINK1. Families with alterations in these genes or linked sites demonstrate either recessive or dominant inheritance patterns and may have typical and/or atypical symptoms, with an age of onset extending from the second to the sixth decade. Commercial tests for parkin and alpha-synuclein mutations are now available. We predict that physicians, particularly neurologists, increasingly will be approached for information and referrals regarding genetic testing. To assist patients and their families, physicians will not only need to know when such testing is likely to yield a meaningful result but also be aware of the possible social and emotional consequences of testing. The following is a review of what is currently known about the genetics of PD within this context. We discuss what is known about genetic testing for Huntington's disease, a well-described model for genetic testing in a neurodegenerative disorder. We explore the utility, appropriateness, and possible implications of genetic testing for diagnostic and presymptomatic purposes.
authors.affiliation: Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20952, USA. amcinern@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Aideen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McInerney-Leo
authors.forename: Donald W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hadley
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gwinn-Hardy
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hardy
mesh_terms: D005192:Family Health; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D000071617:Protein Deglycase DJ-1; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics; D051843:Synucleins; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / Q000235:genetics; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D000099202:PTEN-Induced Putative Kinase
chemical_list: D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D000071617:Protein Deglycase DJ-1; D011494:Protein Kinases; D051843:Synucleins; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D000099202:PTEN-Induced Putative Kinase; C497604:SNCA protein, human; C111567:parkin protein; C105131:PARK7 protein, human