npj Parkinson's Disease (Jan 2025)

Genetic analyses identify circulating genes related to brain structures associated with Parkinson’s disease

  • Zhe Han,
  • Yanping Zhu,
  • Zhenhong Xia,
  • Qing Deng,
  • Hongjie He,
  • Quanting Yin,
  • Hui Zhang,
  • Mudan Yuan,
  • Chunhua Yang,
  • Geng Tian,
  • Jia Mi,
  • Fuyi Xu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-024-00859-z
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Magnetic resonance imaging and circulating molecular testing are potential methods for diagnosing and treating Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, their relationships remain insufficiently studied. Using genome-wide association summary statistics, we found in the general population a genetic negative correlation between white matter tract mean diffusivity and PD (-0.17 0.8), including SH2B1 and TRIM10. Our study bridges the gap between molecular genetics, neuroimaging, and PD pathology, and suggests novel targets for diagnosis and treatment.