Severe GBA1 variants drive the GBA-PD clinical phenotype: implications for counselling and clinical trials

Output Details

**Background** Variants in the *GBA1* gene are the commonest genetic risk factor for Parkinson disease (PD). Genotype-phenotype correlations exist but with conflicting data, particularly in the cognitive domain. **Objectives** Comparing clinical phenotypes in a multicentre, international cohort incorporating GBA-PD and idiopathic PD (iPD) patients. **Methods** Patients underwent a comprehensive assessment of motor and non-motor functions. Two-group (GBA-PD vs iPD) and multiple-group comparisons (iPD, risk, mild, and severe variant GBA-PD) were performed. **Results** Three hundred fifteen PD patients were recruited: 186 iPD, 39 severe GBA-PD, 24 mild GBA-PD, 56 risk GBA-PD, and 10 patients carrying variants of unknown significance. Groups were matched for sex, disease duration and medications. Mild and severe GBA-PD were younger and developed PD earlier. Severe GBA-PD had worse depression, cognitive impairment and hyposmia, and a trend for higher rates of motor complications. **Conclusions** Only severe variant GBA-PD have a distinctive, more severe clinical profile.

Meet the Authors

  • Elisa Menozzi, MD, PhD

    Key Personnel: Team Schapira

    University College London

  • Sara Lucas Del Pozo, MD

    Key Personnel: Team Schapira

    University College London

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    Jane Macnaughtan, PhD

    Collaborating PI: Team Schapira

    University College London

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    Roxana Mezabrovschi, BSc

    Key Personnel: Team Schapira

    University College London

  • Sofia Koletsi, MSc

    Project Manager: Team Schapira

    University College London

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    Pierfrancesco Mitrotti, MD

    Key Personnel: Team Schapira

    University of Pavia

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    Luca Gallo

  • Rosaria Calabrese, MSc

    Key Personnel: Team Schapira

    Fondazione Istituto Neurologico Nazionale Casimiro Mondino

  • Marco Toffoli, MD

    Key Personnel: Team Schapira

    University College London

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    Nadine Loefflad, MSc

    Key Personnel: Team Schapira

    University College London

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    Franco Valzania

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    Francesco Cavallieri

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    Valentina Fiorvanti

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    Selen Yalkic, MSc

    Key Personnel: Team Schapira

    University College London

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    Naomi Limbachiya

  • Fabio Blandini, MD

    Co-PI (Core Leadership): Team Schapira

    IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico

  • Micol Avenali, MD, PhD

    Key Personnel: Team Schapira

    Fondazione Istituto Neurologico Nazionale Casimiro Mondino

  • Anthony Schapira, PhD

    Lead PI (Core Leadership): Team Schapira

    University College London