WebMD Medical News Laura J. Martin, MD June 24, 2011 --
Researchers have identified two new genetic variants linked to
Parkinson's disease and say they now know how big a role
heredity plays in the neurodegenerative disorder. About a dozen
genetic associations with Parkinson's have been confirmed, and
many more remain to be discovered, says researcher Nicholas
Eriksson, PhD, of the California-based direct-to-consumer gene
testing company 23andMe. In their new study, published this week
in the journal PLoS Genetics, Eriksson and colleagues estimated
that about a quarter of the variation in susceptibility to the
disease is due to genetic factors. "Each new genetic variant we
find gets us a little bit closer to being able to see the full
picture of how genes impact this disease," Eriksson tells WebMD.
"Roughly 10 genetic variants that contribute to Parkinson's had
been found and we added another two to the list." The exact
causes of Parkinson's disease are not known, but researchers now
believe that both environ