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Gene find sparks Parkinson's hope Researchers hope the discovery of a gene which could cause Parkinson's may lead to a cure for the degenerative disease. A study has revealed mutations in the gene - known as GIGYF2 - may trigger Parkinson's in people with a family history of the condition. The finding could provide scientists with a clue as to what causes the illness - and could contribute to the search for new treatments. Parkinson's is a degenerative disease which has no known cause or cure. It occurs when certain nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls muscle movement either die or become impaired. Normally, these cells produce a vital chemical known as dopamine, which allows smooth, co-ordinated function of the body's muscles and movement. But when the cells are damaged, the symptoms of Parkinson's appear - including tremors, slow movements, stiffness, and difficulty with balance or co-ordination. "These findings may ultimately help open the door to the development of new therapeutic, and possibly even preventive, strategies that target the underlying cause of Parkinson's disease," said the senior author of the study, Dr Robert Smith. The gene was identified five years ago when Dr Smith and his team at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University in the United States were researching the link between insulin and diabetes. Only now has the link been made between mutations to the gene and the onset of Parkinson's. Dr Smith said the research had an interesting secondary effect, in that it had illuminated the link between Parkinson's, insulin and a hormone known as insulin-like growth factor (IGF). He hoped this would lead to a better understanding of the connection between diabetes and nervous system disorders. Further research into the onset of Parkinson's revealed that a consequence of the ageing process known as "protein misfolding", caused by a gene called SIRT1, may form the basis of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Scientists at the University Medical Centre in Groningen, Holland, discovered accumulations of folded proteins within the brain cells of those who suffered from the disease. Parkinson's is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders, second only to Alzheimer's, affecting 1-2% of the population above the age of 60. Almost a quarter of people affected with Parkinson's have a family history of the disease. Copyright © 2008 The Press Association. . Rayilyn Brown Board Member AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson's Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn