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#  What are the Causes of Parkinson's Disease? 

 

     

   - ###   Transcription   
    
    **Dr. Joseph Jankovic** 00:00:05  
    We really don't know yet what causes Parkinson's disease, and we suspect there are many different causes. There's more and more evidence to suggest that many causes of Parkinson's disease are of genetic origin. Some individuals are genetically predisposed to develop Parkinson's disease, even though we don't necessarily know what specific gene or genes cause the disease in that particular individual.
    
    The loss of nerve cells in the substantia nigra, in the part of the brain that produces dopamine, is due to a complex interaction between genetic factors on one end of the spectrum and environmental factors on the other end of the spectrum. We still have a lot to learn about how this complex interaction actually results in cell death and eventual loss of dopamine, which is the biochemical hallmark in the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease.
 
 Scientists believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors are the cause of Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD is an extremely diverse disorder. While no two people experience Parkinson’s the same way, there are some commonalities.

 

 ###  Join the PD GENEration Today 

 PD GENEration is an initiative that offers genetic testing and genetic counseling at no cost for people with Parkinson’s disease.

 [ENROLL NOW](/advancing-research/our-research/pdgeneration) 

 

 

 

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