GENETICS LOADS DISEASE’S GUN

The condition was first characterised by english welfare campaigner and doctor James Parkinson in 1817 with his paper, An essay on The Shaking Palsy.

Its genetic causes have been difficult to decode and it is believed that environmental issues also play a part. The actor Michael J Fox, who was diagnosed with the condition aged

31 and went on to establish a research foundation, says: “genetics loads the gun and the environment pulls the trigger.” evidence has been advanced that toxic chemicals, heavy metals, viruses and bacteria have an influence.

Research has, until recently, been unable to pinpoint the causes other than a lack of the signalling chemical dopamine being produced in the brain. “There have been huge gains on so many levels and one of the exciting things is that we have disease-modifying drugs in the pipeline that could stop symptoms and progression,” says

Rachel Dolhun, a movement disorder specialist with the Michael J Fox Foundation.

“We are in a new era where genetics is leading us towards targeted treatments, and technology is providing increased data collection and knowledge. We have so much reason to hope right now.”

For more information about the condition visit the Parkinson’s

Association of Ireland’s website at www. parkinsons.ie.