[Tupelo3]

The research is studying mutations in the PARK2 gene. The researcher leading this work at NIH is Dr. Michael Sack, senior investigator for the Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology and Metabolism. Dr. Sack’s laboratory focuses on modifications of proteins that play pivotal roles in metabolism and mitochondrial function to understand how these modifications affect disease risk. Advances in this work could help people with diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and early onset Parkinson’s disease

Dr. Sack said that they have three people who have been identified as having the mutation in the PARK2 gene and have agreed to have stem cells created. He would like to find at least seven to 12 more in order to have a good sample size. Dr. Sack's team is specifically going to be looking at how mutations in the PARK2 gene affect the ability of cells to take up fat.

Dr. Sack said the first step in getting this work completed is to find the people with the right gene to participate in the study. To make it easier for people with Parkinson’s to participate, his NIH lab is willing to have people send their blood by mail to determine if they have the gene before they have to travel to Bethesda, Maryland, where NIH is headquartered.

People who have been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease and who are interested in participating in this study may contact Dr. Sack directly
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/research/in.../sack-michael/


http://www.parkinsonsaction.org/news...insons-disease