Towards widespread genetic testing and counseling in PD

Widespread genetic testing for PD, plus counseling, is feasible and could aid future enrolment in gene-targeted clinical trials, according to new findings.

Dr Lola Cook from the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, in Indianapolis, USA, presented interim data from the PD GENEration pilot study investigating the feasibility of offering widespread genetic testing and counseling.

Although genetic testing is not routinely offered in neurology practice, knowing an individual’s genetic status could become important as therapies targeting specific genes and pathways are developed.