The significance of GBA for Parkinson's disease

J Inherit Metab Dis. 2014 Jul;37(4):643-8. doi: 10.1007/s10545-014-9714-7. Epub 2014 Jun 4.

Abstract

From the first descriptions of Parkinson's disease (PD) and Gaucher's disease (GD) in the nineteenth century, it took more than 100 years to discover the link between the GBA gene and Parkinsonism. The observation that mutations in the GBA gene represent the most common genetic risk factor for PD so far only came into focus because of astute clinical observation of Gaucher patients and their families. In this review, we (i) outline how GBA was identified as a genetic risk factor for Parkinsonism, (ii) present clinical characteristics of GBA-associated Parkinsonism, (iii) discuss possible mechanisms of the underlying pathogenesis in GBA-associated Parkinsonism, and (iv) provide an outlook on potentially new areas of research and treatment that arise from this important discovery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Gaucher Disease / complications
  • Gaucher Disease / epidemiology
  • Gaucher Disease / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Glucosylceramidase / genetics
  • Glucosylceramidase / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Parkinson Disease / complications
  • Parkinson Disease / epidemiology
  • Parkinson Disease / genetics*
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / complications
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / epidemiology
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / genetics

Substances

  • Glucosylceramidase