Mutations, or changes, in genes can cause disease. Over the past 10 years, mutations in several genes have been found that cause some cases of Parkinson’s disease. The most recently identified gene mutation that has been associated with Parkinson’s disease occurs in LRRK2.

Four groups of researchers from the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have recently examined large groups of people with Parkinson’s disease and people without Parkinson’s disease who served as control groups. The researchers determined how often a mutation in the LRRK2 gene occurs in some people with what appeared to be sporadic, or unexplained, Parkinson’s disease.

A mutation or change in the LRRK2 gene has recently been found to cause late-onset Parkinson’s disease in some patients. Information from research on patients with this gene mutation may help scientists understand the basis of some cases of Parkinson’s disease.