The role of the α-synuclein gene mutation in patients with sporadic Parkinson's disease in the United Kingdom

Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder ofunknown aetiology. A pathogenic point mutation within the α-synuclein gene has recently been identified in one Italian-American kindred andthree families of Greek origin with parkinsonism. DNA from 70 patientswith Parkinson's disease was screened for this G209A mutation. Nosamples were positive for the mutation, suggesting that it is notrelevant for most patients with sporadic idiopathic Parkinson's disease.