Common genetic marker associated with faster Parkinson's disease progression
Researchers from Mass General Brigham have identified that variants in the MC1R gene are linked to faster motor decline in Parkinson's disease patients. This discovery could lead to better prognostic testing and the development of new targeted therapies for the condition.
Why it matters
Identifying a genetic marker for disease progression offers a potential breakthrough in personalized medicine and drug development for neurodegenerative disorders.
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Add as preferred source Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A new study by investigators from the Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute has identified common genetic variants in the MC1R gene as markers of faster motor decline in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). The findings, published in JAMA Neurology , suggest that MC1R could help identify a large subgroup of patients at risk for more rapid disease progression and open a new avenue for drug development.
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