Is Parkinson's Disease genetic?

In this conversation, Priscila discusses Parkinson's disease, its genetic and environmental factors, and the role of genetic counseling. She highlights the PD Generation study, which aims to increase awareness and understanding of Parkinson's disease, particularly in diverse communities. Priscila emphasizes the need for inclusive research and the role of language access in genetic counseling, sharing her personal motivations for advocating for better access to care and information for all individuals affected by Parkinson's disease.

Key Takeaways:

• Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting movement.
• The causes of Parkinson's are multifactorial, involving genetics and environment.
• Genetic testing can identify variants that increase the risk of Parkinson's.
• Everyone has a background risk for developing Parkinson's disease.
• Diversity in research helps understand genetic differences across populations.
• Language access in genetic counseling improves patient understanding and care.
• Community outreach is essential for increasing participation in research.

Priscila D. Hodges joined Indiana University School of Medicine in May 2020. She earned her master’s degree in Genetic Counseling from Northwestern University in 2015 and has nearly a decade of experience in bilingual prenatal genetic counseling within multicultural settings. Currently, Hodges offers bilingual genetic counseling to participants in Parkinson’s disease research, ensuring culturally sensitive care. As a passionate advocate for outreach in the Hispanic/Latine community, she plays a vital role in expanding access to genetic services and increasing research participation, striving to bridge healthcare gaps and enhance representation for underserved populations within the Parkinson’s community.

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Here are more resources related to today’s topic:

• Findageneticcounselor.org
• Breaking Barriers: Advancing Genetic Counseling for Parkinson’s in Latin America by Priscila D. Hodges
• Parkinson's Foundation
• The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
• World Parkinson Coalition
• World Parkinson Congress 2026
• Interview with Dr. Ignacio Mata about the Latin American Research consortium on the Genetics of Parkinson’s Disease (LARGE-PD)
• Information on PD GENEration research study 

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