A gene variant found almost exclusively in the genomes of people of African ancestry increases the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to an international study of nearly 198,000 participants with this genetic background.
Reviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLMAug 23 2023 Published in The Lancet Neurology, the study results suggest the risk may be linked to a variant in the gene encoding β-glucocerebrosidase , a protein known to control how cells in the body recycle proteins.
Andrew B. Singleton, Ph.D., director, NIH Intramural Center for Alzheimer's Related Dementias and a study author Together the researchers collected DNA samples and analysed genetic data from individuals primarily from Nigeria and four sites across the United States. These data were combined with de-identified genetic and phenotypic data from 195,587 people of African American or Afro-Caribbean descent who consented to participate in 23andMe research.
Further analysis of this study's GWAS data suggested that the risk associated with the GBA1 variant is additive. Currently, researchers are developing genetic therapies for treating Gaucher's disease and other lysosomal disorders.
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