Genes Associated with Parkinson’s Disease
The genetic changes involved in Parkinson’s disease can be:
- Autosomal dominant
- Autosomal recessive
- Epigenetic
There are different genes associated with these genetic changes in different patterns of inheritance. They are still investigating whether or not these genes can follow both patterns and if they are more likely to be present in people who develop symptoms before the age of 30 years.
Autosomal Dominant Genetic Features
People have two copies of each gene. In autosomal dominant inheritance, a child can inherit either a healthy gene or one that is not working correctly. They will have a 50% chance of inheriting a faulty gene.
Autosomal dominant genes that scientists have associated with Parkinson’s disease include:
- SNCA, or PARK1
- UCHL1, or PARK5
- LRRK2, or PARK8
- PARK3