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from Viartis: 28th January 2009 - New research PARKINSON'S DISEASE IN TWINS Neurobiology of Aging [2008] 29 (12) : 1765-1773 (Wirdefeldt K, Gatz M, Bakaysa SL, Fiske A, Flensburg M, Petzinger GM, Widner H, Lew MF, Welsh M, Pedersen NL.) Complete abstract It is claimed by some people that Parkinson's Disease is genetic - not merely that genetic mutations can lead to Parkinson's Disease in some people, which does occur, but that Parkinson's Disease occurs far more commonly when somebody has a close relative who has Parkinson's Disease. Genetically, twins are the closest of all relatives. This study assessed how commonly Parkinson's Disease occurred in both twins. Nearly 50,000 twins were assessed. Out of those, 132 people were found to have Parkinson's Disease. Over 7% of cases reported a first degree relative with Parkinson's Disease. However, only three of those people with Parkinson's Disease were found to be pairs of twins. This made the likelihood of both twins developing Parkinson's Disease very small. It completely contradicts the notion that Parkinson's Disease occurs far more commonly amongst close relatives. Besides relatives passing on their genes, they often pass on aspects of their lifestyle. Lifestyle similarities rather than genetics would better explain more than one person within the same family having Parkinson's Disease. Rayilyn Brown Director AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson 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