- Scientists may have finally found why Parkinson's is fast
becoming a young man's disease. Researchers from Columbia
University's Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and
the Aging Brain and departments of pathology and neurology in New
York have now revealed that people with a mutation in their
glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene are more likely to develop Parkinson's
disease before they turn 50.
The GBA gene creates an enzyme which breaks down toxic substances,
digests bacteria that invade our bodies and recycles worn-out cell
components. This gene could also explain why more and more Indians
in their 30s are being diagnosed with Parkinson's.

Hardly known in the 1990s, the phenomenon of young onset Parkinson's
is now becoming a reality, globally. Till recently, less than 3% of
Indians suffering from Parkinson's were in their 30s and 40s. Now,
doctors say, the number has easily crossed 10%.

Till now, Parkinson's was an old man's disease, appearing mostly in
people in their 60s. Dr Alok Gupta, founder of the Parkinson's
Foundation of India, said that over the last five years, lifestyle
had emerged as one of the main causes for Parkinson's.

"In India, 360 people per lakh suffer from the disease, which has no
known cause and no cure. Over 5% of those over 60 are afflicted," he
said.

"Till now, we suspected the main cause behind young onset
Parkinson's to be the jet-setting modern-day lifestyle, increased
stress, improper diet and inadequate sleep. We now know the cause
could even be genetic," an expert from Vimhans told TOI.

He added,"Everyone with mutations don't develop Parkinson's disease
according to the study. What this gene does is modify the age at
onset of Parkinson's for some patients, affecting them at a younger
age."

The latest study, among 278 people, revealed that 14% of people with
Parkinson's carried mutations in the GBA gene compared to only 5% of
people without the disease. The gene abnormality was found in 22% of
people who were diagnosed with Parkinson's before age 50 compared to
10% of people with disease onset after age 50.
20 Sep 2007(The Times of India