Iceland biotech company, deCODE genetics, has successfully mapped a gene contributing to late-onset Parkinson's, the most common form of the disease. Last month the company, which uniquely uses Iceland’s healthcare data as a tool in its gene research, announced the mapping of genes with roles in obesity and anxiety.
23 October 2001
The Parkinson’s gene was mapped to a small region of chromosome 1, through analysis of genotypic data from volunteer late-onset Parkinson's patients and their unaffected relatives from 51 Icelandic families. Although genetic factors for rarer forms of Parkinson's have previously been identified, it was widely believed that the late-onset form was not a genetic disease. deCODE's finding represents the first genetic locus for the late-onset form.
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurological disorder that leads to trembling and a progressive loss of control of motor functions. It affects between one and three people per thousand worldwide, and is most common in those over 50.
The company plans to utilise the results of the Parkinson's study to develop new DNA-based diagnostic tools, prevention regimes and drugs.
www.decode.com

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