Parkinson's Disease Projects

The primary goal of our two Parkinson’s projects is to investigate whether certain environmental exposures and genetic variants, either alone or in combination, affect the risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD).

We have collected a large study population of newly-diagnosed, early onset disease PD cases who are expected to have an increased genetic susceptibility to PD.

We have identified polymorphisms in the coding and regulatory regions of candidate genes involved in:
(1) metabolism of tobacco, caffeine, or detoxification of putative toxicants
(2) regulation or metabolism of dopamine
(3) protein degradation, aggregation, or formation of Lewy bodies

By examining genetic polymorphisms within a group of carefully chosen candidate genes, in combination with extensive information about common environmental exposures, we hope to advance knowledge regarding both genetic and environmental risk factors for PD.