An analysis of genetic studies of Parkinson's disease in Africa

Online databases (till April 30, 2007) revealed 12 studies describing genetics of Parkinson's disease (PD) in Africa. Two studied inheritance patterns of familial PD. Ten focused on one of three genes, i.e. parkin, PINK 1 and LRRK2 in familial PD. Most studies were from North Africa, where parkin mutations are the most common cause of autosomal recessive PD. Frequency of LRRK2 G2019S mutation is higher than North American and European populations. The LRRK2 G2019S mutation is frequent in apparently sporadic PD in North Africans. There is a need to extend research into genetics of sporadic and familial PD to more African subregions.