Analysis of Lrrk2 R1628P as a risk factor for Parkinson's disease

Common genetic variants that increase the risk for Parkinson's disease may differentiate patient subgroups and influence future individualized therapeutic strategies. Herein we show evidence for leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) c.4883G > C (R1628P) as a risk factor in ethnic Chinese populations. A study of 1,986 individuals from 3 independent centers in Taiwan and Singapore demonstrates that Lrrk2 R1628P increases risk for Parkinson's disease (odds ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-2.83; P = 0.006). Haplotype analysis suggests an ancestral founder for carriers approximately 2,500 years ago. These findings support the importance of LRRK2 variants in sporadic Parkinson's disease.