GBA1 mutation linked to higher Parkinson’s risk among Africans

A mutation in the GBA1 gene is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease among people of African ancestry, a new study shows. While other mutations in GBA1 have previously been linked with Parkinson’s, this mutation, which is particularly common in people of African ancestry, has not been associated before with…

African Ancestry Seen to Affect Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number

People of African ancestry in South Africa with Parkinson’s disease have more copies of mitochondrial DNA within their cells than do people of similar ancestry without the condition, a study discovered. These findings contrast with studies in patients of Asian and European ancestry, who have fewer copy numbers than…