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Gene locus for Parkinson's found
American researchers have mapped the general location of a gene that seems to be responsible for Parkinson's disease in a large family with many affected members. The finding brings scientists close to identifying the gene itself.The researchers from the National Center for Human Genome Research in Bethesda, Maryland, studied a large extended Italian family in which 60 out of 592 family members were affected with Parkinson's disease (Science 1996;274:1197-8). They found genetic markers on chromosome 4 (4q21-q23) that were linked with characteristics often seen in Parkinson's disease, including tremors, muscular rigidity, postural instability, dementia, and other debilitating behaviours.
Dr Nicholas Woods, head of the neurogenetics group at London's Institute of Neurology, said: "Identifying the gene will give us insights into the pathology and pathogenesis of the disease." But he warned that the finding needs replicating in other families with affected members. "My guess is that it will be like Alzheimer's and motor neurone disease where only a small number of people with Parkinson's disease have the gene responsible." (See p 1278.)--JACQUI WISE, BMJ
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