thesis
The Role of LRRK2 in Parkinson's Disease
- Publication date
- 30 September 2009
- Publisher
- This thesis focuses on the role of the leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene in
Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD is the second most frequent human neurodegenerative
disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. The etiology of PD remains unknown in most cases, but
several genetically-determined forms have been recently identified, which are greatly
promoting our understanding of the disease mechanisms. Mutations in the LRRK2 gene
were initially identified through positional cloning within the PARK8 locus in families
with autosomal dominant inheritance of PD. Subsequent studies, included some of those
described in this thesis, have delineated LRRK2 mutations as the most frequent, known
cause of familial and sporadic PD.