Heredity in Parkinson's disease. From rare mutations to common genetic risk factors.
This study investigated genetic causes of Parkinson's disease (PD) and parkinsonism in southern Sweden. The extensive Lister Family with parkinsonism caused by duplications and triplications of the gene for alpha-synuclein (SNCA) was studied. Clinical, genetic and genealogical data were compiled and evaluated. Thirty-five family members with parkinsonism were identified. They share a characteristi