Vicky,
I am so fascinated by your statement below. I have a variety of PD symptoms that are very similar to my maternal grandmother, who died many years ago. (Rigid, akinetic, jaw tremor) I also have another condition, vitiligo, that she also had. There are no children or other grandchildren with either condition. And I have mostly lost my sense of smell, first noticing it after feeling that food seemed very tasteless. I lived with my grandmother for 12 years as a young adult, so you see it raises interesting questions regarding genetics and environment. Do you know whether your statement below is the current view for all those with genetic mutations? It is interesting that at cellular level both conditions are ascribed to apoptosis.

Best Wishes
Lindy