THE ROLE OF THE ALPHA-SYNUCLEIN GENE MUTATION IN PATIENTS WITH SPORADIC PARKINSONS-DISEASE IN THE UNITED-KINGDOM

Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder of unknown aetiology. A pathogenic point mutation within the alpha-synuclein gene has recently been identified in one Italian-American kindred and thre e families of Greek origin with parkinsonism. DNA from 70 patients wit h Parkinson's disease was screened for this G209A mutation. No samples were positive for the mutation, suggesting that it is not relevant fo r most patients with sporadic idiopathic Parkinson's disease.