The etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) is presently unknown. The unifying hallmark of
disease is depletion of dopamine and loss of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons. Familial and
sporadic forms of the disease are described. The familial mutations occur within α-synuclein
and molecules involved in protein degradation and mitochondrial function. Sporadic PD is
thought to involve the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Despite disparate
initiating triggers, a convergent pathobiologic model for this common neurodegenerative …