[Conductor71]

I don't know how many of us spit for 23andme. I did back in July and found that I was not (no big surprise since I am young onset) a LRRK2 carrier. I remember feeling a little deflated that they weren't doing too much in carrying out there research mandate, but, fortunately, I was wrong.

Given Paula's recent post on pseudo chol. inhibitors and the large range of variables we discuss here, I began to wonder whether we all have different insults to our brains that manifest in symptoms and process of PD? When lo and behold, at 23andme they are asking the same things at their PD research site: It could even be that Parkinson’s is really a number of different diseases, all of which lead to the same end result?? I don't think I'm encouraged by that thought at all - if we all have different diseases, how can we all have the same cure? In the end, maybe it will galvanize researchers to focus on developing more individualized treatments?

Please visit the latest progress report on their PD Research Initiative. Here are a few interesting finds:

*Two new SNPs identified as increasing or decreasing likelihood of PD.

*GBA (glucocerebrosidase) mutations that link PD to Gaucher's Disease.

*LRRK2 carriers show fewer symptoms throughout course of disease.

*Through database they are noting subytypes (Jankvovic the neuro who first noted clinical subtypes is a scientific advisor).

*Only 3500 diagnosed in database - start spitting people

If you took the test, see here for checking new SNPs

I really wondered where all of the surveys and data were headed but they have some promising long term plans. If you haven't already done so, please consider taking the test, still only $25 for complete service including ancestry. I had been reluctant to share my info with the PD community there, but I plan on sharing results tonight so we can hopefully start learning from one another.

[Sasha]

Thanks for the post. If we haven't already done so, can you tell us how to get enrolled in the spit test? I think I was afraid of what I might find out and so kept postponing it, but if something really useful may come out of all of this, for someone, it's worth it.

[paula_w]

Originally Posted by Sasha

Thanks for the post. If we haven't already done so, can you tell us how to get enrolled in the spit test? I think I was afraid of what I might find out and so kept postponing it, but if something really useful may come out of all of this, for someone, it's worth it.

video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1Mjsg9nN7M

[Conductor71]

Originally Posted by paula_w

video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1Mjsg9nN7M

Thank you, Paula. I hadn't seen that video, and it is very informative.

Sasha, and all who are interested...the direct link to ordering the discounted kit is https://www.23andme.com/pd/

They are seeking 10,000 participants for their PD research database and are working with MJFF on a long term project on data collection methods to prove that collecting online is statistically reliable. So far they have 3,500 of us, but that's nothing compared to the number of people who paid the $400 full price and opted to take the time to help us!


We’ve also had an incredible response from our other communities: more than 8,000 people without Parkinson’s have taken our Parkinson’s surveys so that they can be included in our studies as crucial control subjects.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to advance research - it is so much less invasive than clinical trial participation.

Laura