Following is a news release based on an article published in the February issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). The AAN is an association of more than 15,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. For a copy of the full article or for more information, contact Sarah Parsons at (612) 695-2732 or by e-mail [email protected].
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1998
Publicized Gene Is Not a Major Cause of ParkinsonÃs Disease ST. PAUL, MN (February 23, 1998) Recent publicity about a gene mutation found in a family with a hereditary form of ParkinsonÃs disease led families of ParkinsonÃs patients to worry about genetic transmission of the disease to offspring and siblings.
A new study puts the discovery in perspective.
A study of 100 ParkinsonÃs patients found that all lacked the gene mutation. The study, which appears in the February issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology, was conducted at The ParkinsonÃs Institute in Sunnyvale, CA.
"This gene is obviously not common in the general population," said neurologist J. William Langston, MD, president of the institute and co-author of the study. "This is probably the only family on earth with this mutation, and the news about its discovery was overgeneralized, causing pain and concern in families."
While the majority of ParkinsonÃs cases appear not to be inherited, there are reports of the disease occurring in a familial pattern. The gene mutation was found in an Italian family called the Contursi kindred. The familyÃs disease appears to be an autosomal dominant disorder, meaning that offspring have a 50-percent chance of inheriting the disease.
The Contursi kindredÃs disease is very similar to ParkinsonÃs, but is not exactly like ParkinsonÃs, Langston said. The familyÃs disease differs from typical sporadic ParkinsonÃs in several ways, including onset of the disease at a younger age. Due to this, families and patients with younger-onset ParkinsonÃs and those with a familial pattern of the disease were especially concerned at the news of the gene mutation, Langston said. The study examined patients with young-onset ParkinsonÃs and included 17 patients with a parent or a sibling who also had ParkinsonÃs. The study was also limited to Caucasians of European descent to more closely match the Contursi kindred.
Langston said discovery of the gene is still "tremendously important scientifically." The gene produces a defective protein, called alpha-synuclein, that may clump together to kill brain cells.
"This discovery may allow us to learn a huge amount about how an abnormal protein can cause a disease similar to ParkinsonÃs disease, which may help us learn more about what causes ParkinsonÃs itself," he said.
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