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Parkinson's
Disease (OMIM)
is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and affects one in
100 individuals over the age of 50. Currently there are over 2 million
PD patients in US. PD is characterized clinically by resting tremor, muscular
rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. Pathological hallmark
of PD is degeneration of the dopaminergic (DA) neurons in substantia nigra.
The causes of for the vast majority of cases are yet unknown, but are
thought to involve both genetic and environmental factors. A subset of
familial cases of PD is shown to be caused by genetic mutations.
Our laboratory is interested in developing novel genetic models for the
familial forms of PD. We will use these models to study the pathogenic
mechanisms underlying the familial forms of PD. Such study may provide
valuable clues on pathogenesis of the more common sporadic form of PD.
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