Browsing by Author "Beck, James C."

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    Parkinson's disease variant detection and disclosure: PD GENEration, a North American study
    (Oxford University Press, 2024) Cook, Lola; Verbrugge, Jennifer; Schwantes-An, Tae-Hwi; Schulze, Jeanine; Foroud, Tatiana; Hall, Anne; Marder, Karen S.; Mata, Ignacio F.; Mencacci, Niccolò E.; Nance, Martha A.; Schwarzschild, Michael A.; Simuni, Tanya; Bressman, Susan; Wills, Anne-Marie; Fernandez, Hubert H.; Litvan, Irene; Lyons, Kelly E.; Shill, Holly A.; Singer, Carlos; Tropea, Thomas F.; Vanegas Arroyave, Nora; Carbonell, Janfreisy; Cruz Vicioso, Rossy; Katus, Linn; Quinn, Joseph F.; Hodges, Priscila D.; Meng, Yan; Strom, Samuel P.; Blauwendraat, Cornelis; Lohmann, Katja; Casaceli, Cynthia; Rao, Shilpa C.; Ghosh Galvelis, Kamalini; Naito, Anna; Beck, James C.; Alcalay, Roy N.; Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine
    Variants in seven genes (LRRK2, GBA1, PRKN, SNCA, PINK1, PARK7 and VPS35) have been formally adjudicated as causal contributors to Parkinson's disease; however, individuals with Parkinson's disease are often unaware of their genetic status since clinical testing is infrequently offered. As a result, genetic information is not incorporated into clinical care, and variant-targeted precision medicine trials struggle to enrol people with Parkinson's disease. Understanding the yield of genetic testing using an established gene panel in a large, geographically diverse North American population would help patients, clinicians, clinical researchers, laboratories and insurers better understand the importance of genetics in approaching Parkinson's disease. PD GENEration is an ongoing multi-centre, observational study (NCT04057794, NCT04994015) offering genetic testing with results disclosure and genetic counselling to those in the US (including Puerto Rico), Canada and the Dominican Republic, through local clinical sites or remotely through self-enrolment. DNA samples are analysed by next-generation sequencing including deletion/duplication analysis (Fulgent Genetics) with targeted testing of seven major Parkinson's disease-related genes. Variants classified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic/risk variants are disclosed to all tested participants by either neurologists or genetic counsellors. Demographic and clinical features are collected at baseline visits. Between September 2019 and June 2023, the study enrolled 10 510 participants across >85 centres, with 8301 having received results. Participants were: 59% male; 86% White, 2% Asian, 4% Black/African American, 9% Hispanic/Latino; mean age 67.4 ± 10.8 years. Reportable genetic variants were observed in 13% of all participants, including 18% of participants with one or more 'high risk factors' for a genetic aetiology: early onset (<50 years), high-risk ancestry (Ashkenazi Jewish/Basque/North African Berber), an affected first-degree relative; and, importantly, in 9.1% of people with none of these risk factors. Reportable variants in GBA1 were identified in 7.7% of all participants; 2.4% in LRRK2; 2.1% in PRKN; 0.1% in SNCA; and 0.2% in PINK1, PARK7 or VPS35 combined. Variants in more than one of the seven genes were identified in 0.4% of participants. Approximately 13% of study participants had a reportable genetic variant, with a 9% yield in people with no high-risk factors. This supports the promotion of universal access to genetic testing for Parkinson's disease, as well as therapeutic trials for GBA1 and LRRK2-related Parkinson's disease.
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    Participant-reported personal utility of genetic testing for Parkinson's disease and interest in clinical trial participation
    (Springer Nature, 2024-10-25) Oas, Hannah; Cook, Lola; Schwantes-An, Tae-Hwi; Walsh, Laurence E.; Wills, Anne-Marie; Mata, Ignacio F.; Nance, Martha A.; Beck, James C.; Naito, Anna; Marder, Karen; Alcalay, Roy N.; Verbrugge, Jennifer; Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine
    Genetic testing for Parkinson's disease (PD) is infrequently performed due to perceptions of low utility. We investigated the personal utility in PD GENEration and how results lead to enrollment in additional research studies. Participants (n = 972) underwent genetic testing, results disclosure, genetic counseling, and completed a survey examining the perceived personal utility of their results and interest in participating in additional studies. Most participants found their genetic test results useful, including satisfying curiosity (81%), feeling good about helping the medical community (80%), and having information to share with family (77%). There were no significant differences in responses based on result type. Forty-five percent of participants expressed interest in participating in research studies; whereas 16% of participants confirmed enrollment. Our results suggest that participants find personal utility in genetic testing regardless of results. Although participants may be interested in enrolling in additional research, they may need support and resources.
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    The Commercial Genetic Testing Landscape for Parkinson’s Disease
    (Elsevier, 2021) Cook, Lola; Schulze, Jeanine; Verbrugge, Jennifer; Beck, James C.; Marder, Karen S.; Saunders-Pullman, Rachel; Klein, Christine; Naito, Anna; Alcalay, Roy N.; ClinGen Parkinson’s Disease Gene Curation Expert Panel; MDS Task Force for Recommendations for Genetic Testing in Parkinson’s Disease; Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine
    Introduction: There have been no specific guidelines regarding which genes should be tested in the clinical setting for Parkinson's disease (PD) or parkinsonism. We evaluated the types of clinical genetic testing offered for PD as the first step of our gene curation. Methods: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) was queried on 12/7/2020 to identify current commercial PD genetic test offerings by clinical laboratories, internationally. Results: We identified 502 unique clinical genetic tests for PD, from 28 Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-approved clinical laboratories. These included 11 diagnostic PD panels. The panels were notable for their differences in size, ranging from 5 to 62 genes. Five genes for variant query were included in all panels (SNCA, PRKN, PINK-1, PARK7 (DJ1), and LRRK2). Notably, the addition of the VPS35 and GBA genes was variable. Panel size differences stemmed from inclusion of genes linked to atypical parkinsonism and dystonia disorders, and genes in which the link to PD causation is controversial. Conclusion: There is an urgent need for expert opinion regarding which genes should be included in a commercial laboratory multi-gene panel for PD.
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    Tools for communicating risk for Parkinson's disease
    (Springer Nature, 2022-11-29) Cook, Lola; Schulze, Jeanine; Uhlmann, Wendy R.; Verbrugge, Jennifer; Marder, Karen; Lee, Annie J.; Wang, Yuanjia; Alcalay, Roy N.; Nance, Martha; Beck, James C.; Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine
    We have greater knowledge about the genetic contributions to Parkinson’s disease (PD) with major gene discoveries occurring in the last few decades and the identification of risk alleles revealed by genome-wide association studies (GWAS). This has led to increased genetic testing fueled by both patient and consumer interest and emerging clinical trials targeting genetic forms of the disease. Attention has turned to prodromal forms of neurodegenerative diseases, including PD, resulting in assessments of individuals at risk, with genetic testing often included in the evaluation. These trends suggest that neurologists, clinical geneticists, genetic counselors, and other clinicians across primary care and various specialties should be prepared to answer questions about PD genetic risks and test results. The aim of this article is to provide genetic information for professionals to use in their communication to patients and families who have experienced PD. This includes up-to-date information on PD genes, variants, inheritance patterns, and chances of disease to be used for risk counseling, as well as insurance considerations and ethical issues.