Parkinson's Disease Family and Cultural Thesis

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" (Fleming et al., 1994)

B. Genetic Factors

While environmental factors are shown to increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease there are also specific mutations linked to the development of PD in certain populations. For example it is reported that a study conducted on Parkinson's Disease and hereditary genetic risks of developing this disease states findings that researchers in the study "...found that ethnic Chinese individuals carrying a mutation they indentified in the LRRK2 gene are over two times more likely to develop the disease than non-carriers." (Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 2004) the study was conducted at Mayo Clinic in 2004. The research team not only discovered the LRRK2 gene and the role it plays in Parkinson's disease but as well discovered "...a number of mutations in LRRK2 a gene that codes for poorly understood protein, leucine-rich repeat kinase." (Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 2004)

One of the mutations 'G209S "has been shown to cause Parkinson's disease in people with and without a family history of the disease. G2019S is stated to be most common in "Berber Arabs and Ashkenazi Jews." (Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 2004) it is however stated that this mutation is considered to be a risk instead of causative because there are individuals with this mutation who never develop Parkinson's disease. The frequency of LRRK2 G2385R is stated to be at 8% within ethnic Chinese patients. It is interesting to note that for some reason "this mutation does not appear to play a role in Parkinson's disease within other racial groups.

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" The study reports: "Their analysis concluded that the G2385R mutation arose approximately 4,800 years ago, corresponding with the rise of Chinese civilization and the reign of Yellow Emperor Huang Di, credited with inventing traditional Chinese medicine." (2004)

V. Recent Study Findings

It was reported on February 27th, 2009 that a team of scientists from Australia and the United States "have used yeast and mammalian cells to discover a connection between genetic and environmental causes of Parkinson's disease." (Psysorg, 2009) the study findings state "So far, we've linked PARK9, alpha-synuclein and manganese toxicity. These linkages are not coincidental. They're likely to be affecting a pathway and we suspect it's a central pathway. To confirm that would be very exciting indeed." (Psysorg, 2009)

Summary and Conclusion

The many genetic and environmental factors that have been identified to be risk factors in developing Parkinson's disease have assisted scientists in understanding the disease more fully however, it appears that the more that comes to light about the risk factors for Parkinson's disease, the more questions that are left unanswered. This disease is attributed to both environmental and genetic risk factors and it is presently unclear precisely what actually causes this disease. Much more in the way of research is needed and most certainly will be applied in this area of study and certainly all of the evidence that has been revealed in previous studies when combined with future upcoming studies will soon serve to better inform science of the precise factors that are either risk.....

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