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Genetic polymorphisms in Parkinson's disease
H Checkoway1, F M Farin, P Costa-Mallen
1University of Washington, Department of Environmental Health, Seattle 98195-7234, USA.
Abstract:
The search for genetic polymorphisms relevant to Parkinson's disease etiology and pathogenesis has been motivated by recent thinking emphasizing the potential significance of gene-environment interactions. Especially influential to this research have been the MPTP model of PD induction, hypotheses concerning oxidative stressor reactions, and epidemiological observations of an inverse relation between cigarette smoking and PD risk. This brief review summarizes trends in genetic polymorphism research, with examples provided by investigations of cytochrome P450 enzymes, monoamine oxidase, superoxide dismutase, and mitochondrial genes.