Indian Parkinson's Genetics Study Wins Best Poster Award at Global Conference in Seoul - Video

An Indian research project investigating genetic factors associated with early-onset Parkinson's disease has won the Best Poster award at the Global Parkinson's Genetics Program (GP2) Annual Conference, held in Seoul, South Korea, in October 2026. Led by the Parkinson's Research Alliance of India (PRAI), the study was selected from more than 50 genetics-focused submissions. Titled From Genes to Pathways: Genetic Convergence in Early-Onset Parkinson's Disease in India, the research analysed genetic data from 668 participants to understand biological mechanisms linked to the neurological condition.

The study examined how Parkinson's-associated genes interact through pathways involving mitochondrial function, cellular waste clearance and communication between nerve cells. Building on the GOPI-YOPD initiative launched in 2024 with MedGenome, the research highlights the importance of including Indian populations in global genetic studies. Principal investigator Dr Prashanth LK noted that Parkinson's disease reportedly develops nearly 10 years earlier in India than in Western populations. The findings remain preliminary, with further validation required before clinical application, according to a News Mobile report.