Gene linked to Parkinson’s may reveal who’s most affected and how fast

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- Doctors may soon be able to predict how fast Parkinson’s disease progresses.

The neurological disorder is marked by progressive deterioration of the body’s motor function and the speed and the severity of how patients decline varies considerably.

Scientists have now found that a gene linked to Parkinson’s may also reveal who is most likely to be affected by the disease and how fast. Researchers found that Parkinson’s patients with two specific variants of the gene had a significantly faster track to motor decline than those without the variants.

The finding means doctors can test potential therapies in those with the genetic variations and perhaps get a faster read on how effective different drugs are.