Sergey Brin's Parkinson's Research Takes the Google Approach

Sergey Brin, a name synonomous with Google, may soon be almost as well known for his Parkinson's disease research efforts. The Google co-founder is throwing the weight of his famed analytical mind and deep pockets into the fight for a cure. That's because it's personal. According to Wired Magazine, Brin carries the gene LRRK2, a genetic mutation which may increase his risk for developing Parkinson's.

LRRK2 and Parkinson's

According to the Mayo Clinic, parent's with the LRRK2 gene have a 50% chance of passing the mutation on to their children. Brin 's mother was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1999. In 2006, two years after LRRK2 was linked to Parkinson's, Brin's then fiance, Anne Wojcicki, started the genetic company 23andMe. Wired reports that both Sergey and his mother's genome showed the presence of LRRK2.

Carrying the gene does not mean that Sergey Brin will develop Parkinson's, it just increases his chances. In fact people without the LRRK2 gene can also develop the disease. Mayo Clinic research states that LRRK2-related Parkinson's has similar symptoms as idiopathic Parkinson's, initially affecting motor skills with tremors, muscle rigidity and gait abnormalities.

Google-Like Parkinson's Study

It's not surprising that Brin teamed up with the Parkinson's Institute, Michael Fox Foundation and 23andMe for an online Parkinson's Disease Genetics Initiative. Instead of using the typical small sterile sample group, 23andMe's goal is to harness the power of the web to mine data from 10,000 volunteers with Parkinson's. Brin and his mother are participants in the study.

The subjects purchase a genetic testing kit at a discounted $25 price. In return for spitting into a test tube, they will receive information on their ancestory, health and traits. Survey's are available for them to take, which the study can use to mine data and hopefully make correlations. The initiative has even set up an online support community.

Parkinson's Study Result's Thusfar

Initial results of the study have already been published on PloS Genetics. The study has already replicated knoown associations for freckling, hair color and eye color. 23andMe is using these results as validation for it's new research methods.

The study has revealed new associations, including one for hair curl and the tendency to sneeze in bright light. This illustrates how far-reaching the platform can be, potentially mine data for other diseases along with it's Parkinson's research.

It is fitting that with Brin as a participant 23andMe has chosen PloS Genetics to publish results. The journal is an open source, giving access to everyone, not just scientists and participants.

Sources:

Wired Magazine: Sergey Brin's Search for a Parkinson's Cure, by Thomas Goetz

Mayo Clinic: LRRK2-Related Parkinson Disease, by Matthew Farrer, PhD and Owen A. Ross, PhD

23andMe Parkinson's Community: Strength in Numbers

PloSGenetics: Web-based, Participant-Driven Studies Yield Novel Genetic Associations for Common Traits