Uncovering a New Parkinson's Disease Gene Variant in African Ancestry
A gene variant that increases the risk of developing Parkinson's disease has been discovered in individuals of African ancestry. The variant, found almost exclusively in genomes of people of African descent, is linked to a gene encoding β-glucocerebrosidase (GBA1), a protein involved in protein recycling within cells. The study, led by scientists at the National Institutes of Health, highlights the importance of researching diverse populations to understand the genetic basis and risk factors for diseases like Parkinson's. The findings may provide new insights into the biology of Parkinson's disease and aid in the development of genetic treatments and therapies.