GEO-PD info

The Genetic Epidemiology of Parkinson's Disease Consortium, or GEO-PD, was created with funding from the Michael J. Fox Foundation (Edmond J. Safra Global Genetics Consortia Program).

The Consortium originally included 24 investigators from 18 sites, 11 countries, and four continents who agreed to share biospecimens and avaliable data for a collaborative-pooled analysis of alpha-synuclein gene promoter variability and Parkinson's disease (PD). The consortium has since increased in size, to represent mutltiple investigators from 35 sites, 24 countries, and six continents. By October 31, 2010, it is projected that the sites will have data and DNA available for more than 21,000 cases and 20,000 controls. Our work has currently expanded in scope to include LRRK2 variants and Parkinson’s disease Susceptibility; SPR gene and Susceptibility to PD; Consanguineous Families with Parkinson ‘s Disease and Homozygosity Mapping; Harmonising Epidemiologic and Risk Factor Data for GEO-PD. A description of these studies is provided via these links:

¤LRRK2 Variants and Parkinson’s Disease Susceptibility .

¤SPR Gene and Susceptibility to PD

¤ Consanguineous Families with Parkinson’s Disease and Homozygosity Mappings

¤ Harmonising Epidemiological and Risk Factor Data for GEO-PD

New members are actively sought for these and future projects, which will focus on genetic association studies of PD. Investigators are required to have data and DNA available for a minimum of 100 PD cases and 100 unrelated controls, and to be willing to share small aliquots of DNA from a small subsample for genotyping reliability studies.

A list of GEO-PD investigators and their roles is provided here.