4.6 Review

Mapping the Diverse and Inclusive Future of Parkinson's Disease Genetics and Its Widespread Impact

Journal

GENES
Volume 12, Issue 11, Pages -

Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/genes12111681

Keywords

Parkinson's disease; genetics; diversity; post-GWAS era; genetic testing; genetics counselling

Funding

  1. Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health (National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) [1ZIA-NS003154, Z01-AG000949-02, Z01-ES10198]

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Genetics has played a key role in uncovering the etiology of Parkinson's disease, but there is a need for more representation of non-European populations in research to address existing gaps in knowledge of genetic differences. Overcoming this challenge will provide novel insights into the disease's genetic architecture and improve understanding across diverse populations. Collaborative global initiatives are shaping the future of PD genetics, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and diversity in research efforts.
Over the last decades, genetics has been the engine that has pushed us along on our voyage to understand the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Although a large number of risk loci and causative mutations for PD have been identified, it is clear that much more needs to be done to solve the missing heritability mystery. Despite remarkable efforts, as a field, we have failed in terms of diversity and inclusivity. The vast majority of genetic studies in PD have focused on individuals of European ancestry, leading to a gap of knowledge on the existing genetic differences across populations and PD as a whole. As we move forward, shedding light on the genetic architecture contributing to PD in non-European populations is essential, and will provide novel insight into the generalized genetic map of the disease. In this review, we discuss how better representation of understudied ancestral groups in PD genetics research requires addressing and resolving all the challenges that hinder the inclusion of these populations. We further provide an overview of PD genetics in the clinics, covering the current challenges and limitations of genetic testing and counseling. Finally, we describe the impact of worldwide collaborative initiatives in the field, shaping the future of the new era of PD genetics as we advance in our understanding of the genetic architecture of PD.

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