title: Parkinson's disease and family history.
abstract: The study of family history in Parkinson's disease (PD) has resulted in considerable debate over the role of genetic factors in the development of PD. Despite this, family history is consistently identified as an independent risk factor for PD. A multifactorial disease process in which genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors culminate in overall risk seems most likely. This article reviews existing studies of familial aggregation in PD. Recent insights into rare genetic causes of PD have affirmed the importance of ongoing family history research. Future efforts should emphasise well-designed family studies with extensive, non-exclusive phenotyping and ideally long-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: University of Queensland, School of Medicine, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Brisbane QLD 4102, Australia.
authors.forename: Annabella N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Sellbach
authors.forename: Richard S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Silburn
authors.forename: George D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Mellick
mesh_terms: D005192:Family Health; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors