Finding the Right Genes: The Growing Role of Genetics in Parkinson’s Disease and the Hope for Breakthroughs The symptoms and progression of Parkinson’s disease vary in each person diagnosed with the condition. Now, thanks to research breakthroughs related to genetics, we are beginning to understand the biological reasons why.
have helped researchers uncover dozens of genes associated with Parkinson’s disease, with more genetic links regularly being discovered. Current estimates suggest that about 15% of Parkinson’s disease cases are associated with a known genetic mutation. The most ambitious research effort to date was launched in 2021. The Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program, or GP2, is a collaboration among nearly 100 research groups around the world formed to understand the genetic architecture of Parkinson’s disease by studying the genomes of more than 150,000 volunteers.
Even more exciting: Work steered by multiple researchers at RUSH is fueling the development of promising new treatments informed by new knowledge about the genetic underpinnings of Parkinson’s.
RUSH University Medical Center is a key member of GP2, contributing genetic information from hundreds of consenting patients so far. Many of the samples RUSH investigators have collected and sequenced are through studies funded by philanthropy.
“This is a dramatic change in the Parkinson’s disease landscape — reminiscent of what has happened in cancer treatment over the past several years,” said Deborah A. Hall, MD, PhD, director of the RUSH Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Program and The Parkinson’s Foundation Chair of Neurological Sciences. “Ten years ago, we would not have necessarily offered gene testing to most patients. Now we do so, not just to improve our diagnoses but to open doors for patients to specialized therapies based on their underlying gene mutations.”
“Our research in genetics simply would not be possible without support from donors,” said Dr. Hall, who is an investigator on GP2 research studies.
RUSH and the Worldwide Search to Uncover the Genetic Links to Parkinson’s
The most rapidly advancing studies and clinical trials are focused on the two most common genes associated with Parkinson’s in the U.S.: GBA1 (glucocerebrosidase 1) and LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2). These and other genes
The Emerging Connection Between Genetics and Disease
Scientific endeavors such as the Human Genome Project
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