Festination Correlates with SNCA Polymorphism in Chinese Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract EN

The genetic basis of festination, a common motor symptom in Parkinson’s disease (PD), remains unclear.

Since polymorphism in the alpha-synuclein (SNCA) gene is associated with PD phenotype, we examined whether such polymorphism is also associated with festination.

SNCA polymorphisms rs11931074 and rs894278 were genotyped in a consecutive series of 258 patients with PD, of whom 122 (47.3%) suffered festination.

Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in genotype and minor allele frequencies at rs11931074 or rs894278 between patients with festination and those without it (all p<0.05).

Based on logistic regression, a GG or GT genotype at rs11931074 was associated with higher risk of festination among patients with PD (OR 2.077, 95% CI 1.111–3.883, p=0.022), as was the TT genotype at rs894278 (OR 2.271, 95% CI 1.246–4.139, p=0.007).

Therefore, we conclude that festination is associated with polymorphism at rs11931074 or rs894278 among patients with PD.