Does Parkinson's run in families?
For most people it is hard to know what has caused their Parkinson's. But genetics can play a role in whether someone has a slightly higher or lower risk of being diagnosed with Parkinson's. And in some rarer cases, people have a single gene difference that has caused their Parkinson's.
We explain more on this page.
We're currently working with researchers in genetics and Parkinson's to make improvements to this page.
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What is idiopathic Parkinson's?
If you have Parkinson's, it's likely you have idiopathic Parkinson's. This means it isn't known what has caused the condition.
A combination of genetics, lifestyle and exposure to things in the environment can mean that some people are more at risk of developing Parkinson's than others.
Gene differences that increase risk
A gene is a section of DNA. It contains the instructions needed to make proteins, which play an important role in how your body works.
Everyone has differences in their genes that make them unique as a person. These differences can increase (or decrease) the risk for health conditions like Parkinson's.
Scientists think there are more than 90 genes involved in the risk of developing Parkinson's. Everyone will have a different combination of differences in those genes that affects their individual risk.
Families share genes. They are also often exposed to the same risk factors in the environment, such as diet or pollution.
This helps explain why family members of someone with idiopathic Parkinson’s may have a very slight increased risk of developing the condition compared to the general population.
The GBA1 gene
The most common gene differences that increase the risk of Parkinson’s (but don't greatly affect the risk of their family members) are in the GBA1 gene.
- Differences in this gene are common. They’re found in 1 in 12 people with Parkinson's.
- Not everyone with a difference in the GBA1 gene will get Parkinson's, but it increases their risk. Up to 1 in 8 people with this gene difference develop Parkinson's by the age of 80.
Gene differences that cause Parkinson's
For some people a difference in a single gene can cause Parkinson's to develop. This is a much smaller group of people with Parkinson's, affecting around 1 in 25 people with Parkinson’s.
The LRRK2 gene
This is the most common gene to have differences known to cause Parkinson's.
- On average, 1 in 100 people with Parkinson’s has a difference in the LRRK2 gene. It’s more common in North African and certain Jewish (Ashkenazi) populations.
- People with this gene difference may develop Parkinson's later in life. Around 1 in 2 people who have the most common difference in this gene may develop Parkinson's by the age of 80.
- Your Parkinson's symptoms may be more mild if you have a difference in this gene.
Rare gene differences
Some differences in genes are rare, meaning they don’t affect many people.
People with these rare gene differences may have many close family members with Parkinson's or may have developed the condition at a younger age.
The PRKN gene
- Differences in this gene are more common for people diagnosed with Parkinson's at a younger age (before 50).
- Between 2 and 15 in 100 people diagnosed at a younger age may have a difference in the PRKN gene.
- You’re likely to get Parkinson's if both your parents have 'passed down' the PRKN gene which has differences. It is rare to have this gene difference, so the chance of both parents having a change in this gene is very small.
The PINK1 gene
- Between 1 and 9 in 100 people who have developed Parkinson's at a younger age have a difference in the PINK1 gene.
- You’re more likely to get Parkinson's if both your parents have 'passed down' the PINK1 gene which has differences. It is rare to have this gene difference, so the chance of both parents having a change in this gene is very small.
The PARK7 (DJ-1) gene
- Up to 1 in 100 people who have developed Parkinson's at a younger age have a difference in the PARK7 gene.
- You're more likely to get Parkinson's if both your parents have 'passed down' the PARK7 gene which has differences.
- It is rare to have this gene difference, so the chance of both parents having a change in this gene is very small.
The SNCA gene
- Differences in this gene are very rare. They're found in fewer than 1 in 1,000 people with Parkinson's.
- If just one parent has 'passed down' the SNCA gene which contains differences, you’re likely to get Parkinson's.
Research
As the largest European funder of Parkinson's research, we have uncovered a lot about genetics and Parkinson's that has greatly advanced our understanding of what causes Parkinson's.
Taking part in a research study can come in many forms, from questionnaires to trialling new treatments. Whatever you're ready for, you can make a difference.
Straight from the expert
Dr Patrick Lewis specialises in research into inherited Parkinson's and changes in the LRRK2 gene.
In this video, he explains whether Parkinson's runs in families.
I have Parkinson's, like my mum and nan before me
Donna was told she had Parkinson’s in her early 40s. She's the third woman in 3 generations of her family to receive the diagnosis.
"I was convinced everyone had it wrong and that Parkinson’s was just an easy diagnosis to label me with because of my mum and my nan."