Washington, September 2 (ANI): A single gene promotes development of essential tremor in some patients and Parkinson’s disease in others has been identified by an international team of researchers.
In a study report published in Parkinsonism and Related Disorders, Mayo Clinic researchers in Florida and their collaborators worldwide note that patients with essential tremor shake when they move, while those with Parkinson’s disease shake when they are at rest.
They further state that a variant in LINGO1, a gene involved in neuronal survival, is the first proven evidence of a common genetic component in the development of both disorders.
Analysing their findings, the researchers have come to the conclusion that mutations in this gene are potentially responsible for five percent of patients with Parkinson’s disease, and five percent of patients with essential tremor.
Lead researcher Dr. Carles Vilarino-Guell, of Mayo Clinic, said: “There is a mutation in the gene that must be causing or contributing to Parkinson’s disease in some people and essential tremor in others.”
He, however, added that that did not mean that people with essential tremor have an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
The findings are intriguing because “although essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease are considered to be different diseases, researchers have been arguing for a long time about whether essential tremor is a milder, preliminary form of Parkinson’s disease, and they have been looking for the genetic connection between these disorders,” he said.
“Now we know LINGO1 is the first gene identified,” he added.
The scientists have yet to identify any specific mutation or mutations on LINGO1 responsible for either disorder.
“The easiest explanation is that there are two separate and clearly distinct mutations in the gene contributing to the disorders. But because this gene doubles the risk of developing either disease and it is found at the same frequency in both diseases, it is possibly the same mutation,” Dr. Vilarino-Guell said.
“Both diseases are also affected by environmental factors, and that may influence which disorder a person would be more likely to develop,” he added. (ANI)
Smear Emails: Tories Want Brown To Say Sorry
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Have your say: Gordon Brown
Damian McBride quit after admitting sending “juvenile and inappropriate” emails from his Downing Street account to former spin doctor Derek Draper.
In the messages, the two men discussed setting up an “attack blog” called Red Rag that would have spread unfounded gossip about Conservative opponents.
Details of the emails, including false allegations about David Cameron and George Osborne, have been published in The Sunday Times and News Of The World.
Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling branded the stories “blatant lies” and demanded to know who else had been aware the talks were taking place.
“The detail of these emails that is now emerging is shocking and completely unacceptable,” he said.
Mr Grayling added: “These are blatant lies cooked up in Downing Street by one of the Prime Minister’s key advisers.
“Mr Brown hasn’t even had the decency to apologise. His statement on Saturday afternoon was unacceptable.
“This is an exceptionally serious matter and he needs to explain immediately what happened and how such defamatory comments came to be issued from Downing Street.”
The former Labour Home Secretary Charles Clarke was one of the first to demand Mr McBride’s resignation, saying his actions “bring shame to the Labour Party”.
Mr Clarke told Sky’s Colin Brazier: “This kind of conduct of politics is simply not acceptable.
“It’s not the right way to conduct politics in general, it’s not the right way for Labour to win elections and it’s not the right way in which our public debate is advanced.
“I think there had been a pattern of behaviour with Damian over a long period.
“And I’m glad the Prime Minister’s been decisive enough to get rid of him yesterday when this evidence came out into the open.”
But he insisted the Conservatives also needed to drive the “black arts” out of politics.
Mid Bedfordshire MP Nadine Dorries confirmed she was among four Tories featured in the emails, and called for the Prime Minister to say sorry.
The discussions between Mr McBride and Mr Draper took place in January and were leaked to right-wing blogger Paul Staines.
Mr McBride said he was “shocked and appalled” at the way the emails had been used and regretted any embarrassment caused to the Government.