Parkinson's disease is caused by a dominant gene, but it has a frequency of 1:10000. Why such a low frequency? I have a problem with your thesis. PD typically occurs at a frequency higher than you suggest. There are dominant and recessive genes involved.
That said, start with this link and scroll down to the Parkinson's disease. There is a predisposition to PD because of differences in nucleotides. It is from and article published 11/2008
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/200 ...
Parkinson's is associated with a small number of genes, some dominant and some recessive.
Because there are also environmental triggers and exposures and possible receptor antagonists such as smoking, genes alone do not seem to be the full story
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art. ...
Genetics seems to play a greater role in the emergence of young PD rather than the disease most commonly affects people with Parkinson 50-60 years and over.
The press release from 2003, published in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events ...
points to a direction of research, this is not an answer in itself.
How did you report 1:10000? It seems to be closer to 2:10000?
http://www.pscky.org/Dot_Faqs.asp?faqid = ...
Believe me, when you are in otherwise good health and even your body strength, it is difficult to read the "old" for 50-65 years of age. We tend to think that because these are the years around the age of retirement or used to be; PD brought in old age very difficult and unpleasant.
Until very recently, researchers have focused on possible environmental factors as the culprit in Parkinson's disease. However, in 1996, mutations in the gene for alpha-synuclein have been identified in several large families in whom the disease was unusually common. Since then, mutations in several other genes have also been associated with familial forms of Parkinson's disease.
In this new study, researchers analyzed blood samples from another affected family, the "Iowa families", in which many relatives developed Parkinson's disease or neurological diseases. The family, followed by this team researchers for many years has presented an enigma to scientists because the genetic analysis of some family members initially showed no mutation in alpha-synuclein. The scientists thought perhaps a genetic mutation completely different which could explain Parkinson's disease in this family and had even given it a name other gene, PARK 4.
Not satisfied that they had the answer, scientists at the team decided to re-examine DNA samples from family, further analysis of the entire genome, including chromosome 4, the chromosome on which the gene for alpha-synuclein is located.
**** Here's a possible answer to your question: ----> For individuals in this family affected by Parkinson's disease, instead of the usual * * two copies of the gene for alpha-synuclein in the 4 chromosome pairs, the researchers found four copies * * of the gene for alpha-synuclein. This multiplication of alpha-synuclein gene (an abnormal triplication of three genes on chromosome 4 and a normal copy on one chromosome 4) have led to the individual synuclein too. This accumulation of proteins is the cause of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
No PhD here, just saw your question and I will Gues.
Posted on April 3, 2010.
