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Genetic and environmental factors in the cause of Parkinson's disease
Author(s) -
Warner Thomas T.,
Schapira Anthony H. V.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.10487
Subject(s) - disease , twin study , parkinson's disease , positional cloning , causation , genetic predisposition , biology , genetics , medicine , gene , heritability , pathology , phenotype , political science , law
Despite being the subject of intense study, the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease still remains unclear. In recent years, however, there has been increasing evidence to support a role for genetic factors in its cause. This has come from twin and family studies, the mapping and cloning of PARK genes that are associated with the development of PD, and analysis of potential susceptibility genes. There is also evidence indicating that environmental factors may play a role in the disease process. It is likely that for most cases, there is a complex interplay between these genetic and environmental influences in the causation of Parkinson's disease. This article reviews the evidence in support of genetic and environmental factors in the cause of PD. Ann Neurol 2003;53 (suppl 3):S16–S25