The role of the α-synuclein gene mutation in patients with sporadic Parkinson’s disease in the United Kingdom
- University Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, Rowland Hill Street, London, UK
- Dr T T Warner, University Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK.
- Received 21 November 1997
- Revised 9 February 1998
- Accepted 9 February 1998
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder of unknown aetiology. A pathogenic point mutation within the α-synuclein gene has recently been identified in one Italian-American kindred and three families of Greek origin with parkinsonism. DNA from 70 patients with Parkinson’s disease was screened for this G209A mutation. No samples were positive for the mutation, suggesting that it is not relevant for most patients with sporadic idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.
