Recent advances in the genetics of dementia with lewy bodies

  • Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2008 May;8(3):187-9. doi: 10.1007/s11910-008-0030-1.
Vincenzo Bonifati  1
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. [email protected]
PMID: 18541113 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-008-0030-1
Abstract

In the past few years, mutations have been identified in the genes encoding alpha-synuclein, leucine-rich repeat kinase 2, and glucocerebrosidase in some patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Furthermore, a novel locus for familial DLB has been mapped to chromosome 2q35-q36. Collectively, these discoveries highlight a substantial overlap between the known genetic determinants of Parkinson's Disease and DLB, as well as the presence of profound etiologic heterogeneity in Lewy body disorders.