Link between gene variant and Parkinson's disease discovered

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Variations in the SNCA gene could contribute to susceptibility to Parkinson's disease, according to a new study.
Previously, mutations in the SNCA (alpha-synuclein) gene have been found linked to cases of Parkinson's disease, a common brain condition affecting movement. The causes of Parkinson's disease remain unknown but research has shown there are genetic influences. Now doctors at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester report upon the first large-scale study of the SNCA gene and Parkinson's disease.

They analyzed data from 2,692 cases and 2,652 controls from eleven participating sites from a global genetics consortium. They were looking for two specific types of variant of the SNCA gene and found one was definitely linked to Parkinson's disease. This is the cause of a rare form of Parkinson's disease, which is inherited. More significantly, it also seems to play a role as a susceptibility gene in Parkinson's disease among the general population. It probably accounts for about three per cent of the risk in such cases. Other gene variants are also likely to be involved. These susceptibility genes do not actually cause Parkinson's disease, but combine with other factors to raise the risk.

Source
Journal of the American Medical Association 9th August 2006 Volume 296 pages 661-670

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