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Jeffrey L. Cummings, MD

JAMA. 1999;281:376-378.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

PARKINSON DISEASE (PD) is second only to Alzheimer disease in frequency as a neurodegenerative disorder in the United States. At least a half a million Americans are affected, producing an annual societal cost of $20 billion.¹ Most cases of PD begin after age 50 years and there is an increasing age-related prevalence to at least age 80 years. Among individuals older than 70 years, 1.5% to 2.5% have PD.² With the increasing age of the population and growth of the number of elderly individuals, a substantial increase in PD can be anticipated. This changing demographic creates a scientific imperative to better understand the causes of PD and improve management of its symptoms.

In this issue of THE JOURNAL, Tanner and colleagues³ provide important new information regarding the origin of PD. In a compelling study of 193 twin pairs, the authors demonstrate that genetic factors do not . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Author Affiliation: Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles.

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