Genes may affect survival in Parkinson's patients

Scientists from different institutes studied the records of 2,037 Parkinson's disease patients from their first hospital visit and believed that the genetic variants may shed light in how fast or slow Parkinson's disease progresses in cases where a single gene is involved.

Patients who had either the LRRK2 or PRKN gene mutations had a longer survival time than patients without a gene mutation. Conversely, those who had the SNCA or GBA mutations had a shorter survival time than those without a mutation.

Monogenic forms of Parkinson's disease – those caused by a single gene variant – account for approximately 5% of all cases, as most appear to occur sporadically, without any family history. It was found that a change in the LRRK2 gene is probably the most common genetic variant associated with Parkinson's disease. People who carry this variant may develop the disease later in life and have a 70% chance of being diagnosed by age of 80.

Researchers hence concluded, that these findings not only help increase our understanding of what drives the progression of Parkinson's disease, but they may also enable clinicians to have honest conversations with their patients about expected survival times just as cancer patients are told their prognosis. This can empower patients to make decisions about their care and the time they may have left.

Reference: Survival in monogenic forms of Parkinson's disease: results of a large retrospective study, presented at the EAN Congress 2022.