The 23andMe<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-17706" alt="pd-graphic" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pd-graphic-300x300.jpg" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pd-graphic-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pd-graphic-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pd-graphic-271x271.jpg 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pd-graphic-372x372.jpg 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pd-graphic.jpg 400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />more severe non-motor symptoms.
These studies, which will be published later this year, were made possible by the participation of the now more than 10,000 people in 23andMe’s Parkinson’s Research Community, the world’s largest cohort of genotyped Parkinson’s patients. Our work has also received vital assistance from 23andMe’s partnerships with organizations like The Michael J. Fox Foundation, The Parkinson’s Institute, and the Cleveland Clinic.
<h6>Differences in Symptom Severity</h6>
In our recent study, 23andMe’s researchers studied the symptoms of thousands of Parkinson’s patients of European descent. We found differences in symptom severity between different groups:
&#8211; Patients with a mutation in the LRRK2 gene had less severe motor symptoms. 
&#8211; Patients with a higher body mass index (BMI) experienced more severe symptoms. 
&#8211; Women had less severe motor symptoms but more severe non-motor symptoms.
We also found factors that were associated with earlier age of Parkinson’s onset, which may be of potential relevance to clinicians deciding when to screen for the disease. Patients who carried a GBA gene mutation, patients not of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and patients with higher BMIs tended to have earlier ages of onset.
Our researchers also confirmed previous studies that showed that both smoking and caffeine consumption was associated with a lower risk for Parkinson’s. (We do not suggest anyone take up smoking.)
<h6>Much to Learn</h6>
Such information on the onset and symptomology of different populations could benefit both patients and their doctors. It could give both an idea of what to expect, and what&#8217;s needed in building a treatment plan.
We still have much to learn about this disease. For instance, the relationship between genes and environment in causing Parkinson’s. We also want to know how the disease develops differently in different people. And we want to know the role genetics plays in influencing how patients respond differently to different treatments. Participants in the 23andMe Parkinson’s Research Community continue to help researchers make strides toward a greater understanding of Parkinson&#8217;s. We hope it will also lead to new treatments for Parkinson’s disease.
<a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd/?utm_source=23andMeBlog&#038;utm_medium=2014Aprilblog&#038;utm_campaign=PDUpdate">Learn more</a> about how you can become part of the genetics revolution underway in Parkinson’s.

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

Parkinson’s Symptoms Different For Men and Women

In honor of the <a href="http://traditions.cultural-china.com/features/horse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chinese New Year</a>, we’re taking one last look at the genetic milestones of 2013, with our 2013 year in review.
From a Supreme Court ruling on patenting genes, to Angelina Jolie’s bold revelations about her genetic risk for breast cancer, to the FDA ordering 23andMe to stop offering health results pending a regulatory review   – 2013, and the Year of The Snake was filled with notable news in genetics.
So take a look back at last year with us and prepare for another galloping year in the world of genetic science in this, the <a href="http://traditions.cultural-china.com/features/horse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Year of The Horse.</a>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20283" alt="012814_YearInReviewSocial" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/012814_YearInReviewSocial.jpg" width="600" height="2173" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/012814_YearInReviewSocial.jpg 600w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/012814_YearInReviewSocial-83x300.jpg 83w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/012814_YearInReviewSocial-283x1024.jpg 283w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/012814_YearInReviewSocial-243x880.jpg 243w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/012814_YearInReviewSocial-326x1180.jpg 326w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" />

23andMe Looks Back One More Time

A friend of Gwen Schroeder once told her: “Don’t cheer from the sidelines if you can run the race.”<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-20235" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Gwen-1-214x300.jpg" alt="Gwen " width="214" height="300" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Gwen-1-214x300.jpg 214w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Gwen-1-842x1180.jpg 842w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Gwen-1-768x1076.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Gwen-1-731x1024.jpg 731w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Gwen-1-628x880.jpg 628w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Gwen-1-scaled.jpg 1828w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px" />
So when her father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Gwen laced up her shoes.
<h6>The First Step</h6>
A post-production manager who works in New York City for the TED Conferences, Gwen signed up to run a marathon to raise money for the<a href="https://www.michaeljfox.org/"> Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research</a>.
Since that first marathon, Gwen has run in three more, even strapping a camera to her head as part of the effort. In the process, she has raised over $20,000 for Parkinson’s research.
Not content with just fundraising on her own, Gwen has also joined clinical trials for Parkinson’s research and become a mentor for Team Fox, the grassroots fundraising arm of the<a href="https://www.michaeljfox.org/"> Michael J Fox Foundation</a>.
<h6>Participating in Research</h6>
On top of all that, Gwen signed up with 23andMe specifically to help in the company’s<a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd/"> Parkinson’s Research Community.</a>
“For a while, I avoided even thinking about sending a kit off,” she said about testing. “But the more I considered it, the more I felt like this was a tiny step towards a greater understanding of Parkinson&#8217;s disease. My participation could someday help another family. So, I took a deep breath, spit into the little jar and sent it off.”
But once she decided to test, Gwen said her concerns evaporated.
&#8220;Once I made the decision to do it I was fine,” she said.
That didn’t mean she wasn’t curious about what she would learn, but much more comfortable with it. And for Gwen what was most important was helping the Parkinson’s community.
“The knowledge that I’ve furthered research makes everything I’ve learned about my genes far less scary.”
Results will vary due to unique differences in each individual’s DNA. On average users receive at least one or two results that may be relevant to proactively managing health. 23andMe&#8217;s service does not diagnose disease. 23andMe is not a substitute for professional medical or diagnostic advice.

Getting In the Race

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-18488 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thelma-Jim1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thelma-Jim1.jpg 1280w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thelma-Jim1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thelma-Jim1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thelma-Jim1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thelma-Jim1-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thelma-Jim1-1180x664.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" />There are a lot of reasons why Thelma Ackley signed up for 23andMe – she’s fascinated by her ancestry and she&#8217;s curious about her health – but the main reason is her husband and her six grandchildren.
A few years ago her husband Jim, a former engineer, developed Parkinson’s disease. The neurodegenerative disease is slowly taking away his control over his muscles. It makes it harder for him to walk and do the kind of handyman work he so enjoyed.
He&#8217;s still able to do a lot and is spry and happy, but for the things he can&#8217;t do, Thelma now is there. She keeps Jim as active as possible. The couple walk together up to a mile a day, and Thelma makes sure Jim does regular physical therapy.
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“I want to keep him around for as long as I can,” she said.
But of all the things she has done for Jim, the easiest was signing up for 23andMe and consenting to research. Although 23andMe has research communities where patients with conditions like <a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Parkinson&#8217;s Disease,</a> <a href="https://www.23andme.com/sarcoma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sarcoma</a> and <a href="https://www.23andme.com/mpn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MPN</a> can join for free, any 23andMe customer can participate and help out simply by <a href="https://www.23andme.com/research/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">consenting to research</a> when they enroll.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-18489 size-full" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thelma-Smiling.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thelma-Smiling.jpg 1280w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thelma-Smiling-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thelma-Smiling-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thelma-Smiling-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thelma-Smiling-880x495.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thelma-Smiling-1180x664.jpg 1180w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" />
“We’ve conquered so many diseases like Polio and all it takes is people working hard on it and one thing I can do to help is this,” she said.
That doesn&#8217;t mean we&#8217;re going to cure Parkinson&#8217;s overnight, but participating in research may help scientists find the causes and treatments for the disease. Thelma said she doesn’t know why someone wouldn’t participate.
“I have six grandchildren from ages 21 to 30 and I don’t want this to befall them,” she said. “This is something I can do for them as well.”

People Powered Research at 23andMe

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-17706 size-full" title="pd-graphic" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pd-graphic.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="400" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pd-graphic.jpg 400w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pd-graphic-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pd-graphic-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pd-graphic-271x271.jpg 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/pd-graphic-372x372.jpg 372w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />
We’re excited to announce that the 23andMe Parkinson’s Research Community has exceeded its goal, enrolling more than 10,000 people with the disease and creating the largest cohort of genotyped people with Parkinson’s in the world.
Reaching this milestone offers scientists an incredible opportunity to better understand the causes and potential treatments for this neurodegenerative disease.  While we’ve already done important Parkinson’s research, it is what we hope to do in the future that is most exciting for researchers here at 23andMe.
“Having reached this important milestone, the next step for us is to focus on the data that we have collected,” said 23andMe’s Parkinson’s Research Manager Emily Drabant, PhD.  “This is a tremendously rich dataset and we want to learn as much as we can from it.” 
 
23andMe started this initiative four years ago, as a way to accelerate research into Parkinson’s, and we’ve already shown how our model can do just that by quickly replicating known genetic associations with Parkinson’s and discovering <a href="http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pgen.1002141" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">previously unknown genetic associations with the disease.</a>
Now that we’ve reach this enrollment goal, we can delve into the data to better understand such things as:
&#8211; The relationship between environmental and genetic factors in the development of Parkinson’s. 
&#8211; How those with Parkinson&#8217;s react differently to treatment so that treatments my be better individually targeted. 
&#8211; And, by continuing to engage with our community members – who, through their courage in the face of this difficult illness, inspire us –  we can better understand the disease and its progression.
Our research model offers great potential for the study of many different diseases, but it is ideally suited for studying diseases like Parkinson’s in which patients are limited by their illness.
“The symptoms of Parkinson’s often interfere with motor skills and affect each individual differently, so a traditional approach to research that requires individuals to physically go to a clinical research center can be a huge barrier to participation and data collection,” Dr. Drabant said.  “23andMe provides a unique opportunity for individuals to participate in research at their own convenience. By providing a saliva sample and answering questions online in the comfort of their own homes, individuals are enabling researchers to advance our understanding of how genes and environmental factors may inform the development and progression of Parkinson’s disease.”
And it is the people who are part of our Parkinson’s Research Community, who inspire us in our work with their courage in the face of this difficult illness. We could not have done any of this without each of the thousands of people who have joined the community and shared their data to advance our understanding of Parkinson’s.  We want to thank our Parkinson’s Research Community members for coming together and making this research possible.
We also want to thank our partners and friends at the <a href="https://www.michaeljfox.org/">Michael J. Fox Foundation</a>, <a href="http://www.thepi.org/">The Parkinson’s Institute</a>, <a href="http://www.parkinson.org/">National Parkinson’s Foundation</a>, <a href="http://my.clevelandclinic.org/default.aspx">Cleveland Clinic</a>, <a href="http://www.cureparkinsons.org.uk/">Cure Parkinson’s Trust</a>, <a href="http://www.pdasd.org/">Parkinson’s Association of San Diego</a>, <a href="http://www.nwpf.org/">Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation</a>, <a href="http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/">Parkinson’s UK</a>, <a href="http://www.caring.com/">Caring.com</a>, and <a href="http://www.parkinsons.ie/">Parkinson’s Association of Ireland</a>. These important institutions have offered tremendous support to this research as well as helping us spread the word and recruit interested individuals into this research community.
It has been quite a journey over the last four years — one that has taken us to<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/in-washington-talking-about-parkinsons-research/"> Washington DC to raise awareness for PD research</a>, to<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/news/inside-23andme/23andali/"> Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday celebration to spread the word</a>, to<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/23andmes-parkinsons-community-is-almost-there/"> numerous PD patient conferences</a>, and led to some great press for the cause, including articles on<a href="https://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/08/20/158943097/search-for-parkinsons-genes-turns-to-online-social-networking"> NPR</a>,<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-11/google-s-brin-makes-strides-in-hunt-for-parkinson-s-cure-health.html"> Bloomberg</a>, BioCentrury TV and<a href="https://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/06/ff_sergeys_search/all/1"> Wired</a>.
We’re excited by the road ahead. We will continue to welcome people to participate in our research. While initially a donation from the Brin-Wojcicki Foundation was meant to cover the costs for just the first 10,000 people with Parkinson’s to enroll, the foundation’s continued generosity will allow us to continue to make it <a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd">free for anyone with Parkinson&#8217;s to join 23andMe</a> and be part of this research initiative.
We know that the possibilities for discovery continue to grow, and, with the continued partnership of our engaged Parkinson’s Research Community, we will move ever closer to a cure.

23andMe Reaches Parkinson’s Research Goal

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-12186" title="rich portrait1" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/rich-portrait1-300x244.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="244" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/rich-portrait1-300x244.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/rich-portrait1.jpg 533w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Another friend of 23andMe, <a href="http://theastronautssecret.com/">Rich Clifford</a>, the former NASA astronaut who has become a powerful voice for those with Parkinson’s, was recently featured on CNN.
Always an inspiration, Rich spoke with CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta about his life with Parkinson’s disease. A career military officer, he flew on the Space Shuttle Atlantis two years after getting his own diagnosis for Parkinson’s. Now, more than 20 years later, he has become an advocate for others battling the disease.
He is also a big supporter of 23andMe’s <a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd/">Parkinson’s research initiative</a>. He said 23andMe’s test offers people an opportunity to learn of their genetic risk for the disease before they get it. This gives them a chance to take steps for early intervention before they get symptoms. 
 
Take a look at the CNN piece.
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A more in-depth look at his story and his fight against Parkinson’s is the subject of Zach Jankovic’s soon to be completed documentary, <a href="http://theastronautssecret.com/">“The Astronaut’s Secret.”</a>
If you haven&#8217;t already, take a look at some of our recent posts on Parkinson&#8217;s:
&#8211;<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/in-washington-talking-about-parkinsons-research/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> 23andMe Goest to Washington</a> 
&#8211;<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/23andme-research/23andme-research/why-not-participate-one-patients-perspective/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Why Not Participate? One Patient’s Perspective</a> 
&#8211;<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/23andme-research/23andme-research/23andmes-latest-publication-shines-light-on-male-pattern-baldness-and-unexpected-associations-with-disease/"> 23andMe’s Latest Publication Shines Light on Male Pattern Baldness and Unexpected Associations with Disease</a> 
&#8211;<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/23andme-research/23andme-and-you/23andme-and-parkinsons-past-present-and-future/"> 23andMe and Parkinson’s: Past, Present, and Future</a> 
&#8211;<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/23andme-research/news/the-state-of-the-science-of-parkinsons-research/"> The State of the Science of Parkinson’s Research</a>

Another Hero in the Fight Against Parkinson’s

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-full wp-image-16736" title="CoryMclean" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CoryMclean.jpg" alt="" width="130" height="170">
(Editor&#8217;s note: Here is a <a href="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/LRRK2_ASHG2012_cmclean_poster.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">link</a> to Cory&#8217;s poster presented at ASHG.)
Parkinson’s disease (PD) research has long been a priority at 23andMe. Our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Parkinson’s research communit</a>y is one of the largest in the world with over 9,300 patients. &nbsp;Our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/about/press/pd_discoveries_plos_62311/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">research</a> on the disease has been published in peer-reviewed journals. &nbsp;And our scientific contributions have received wide acclaim with generous help from the <a href="https://www.michaeljfox.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Michael J. Fox Foundation</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=9B9cgyEeULU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Muhammad Ali</a>, and many others. Given our dedication to and reputation for Parkinson’s research, it isn’t surprising that this disease is also the subject of our first whole-genome sequencing project.
Genotyping and whole-genome sequencing are two very different ways of approaching genetic data; one of the primary differences is that genotyping only looks at a subset of locations in your DNA whereas sequencing looks at every location. &nbsp;Sequencing, thus, generates a lot more data. &nbsp;23andMe’s Personal Genome Service ® is currently based only on genotyping but the company has been exploring sequencing as the costs of the technology have dropped.
23andMe’s first whole-genome sequencing project sequenced 50 customers who agreed to be a part of this research study. Each one of these customers has a mutation called G2019S in the LRRK2 gene that is associated with much higher risk for Parkinson’s disease. But not everyone with this mutation develops Parkinson’s.
Cory McLean, a computational biologist at 23andMe, is using sequence data from these 50 customers to try to discover why. 

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You, too, can contribute to research! How? One easy way is to answer the research <a href="https://www.23andme.com/you/23andwe/surveys/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">surveys</a> at 23andMe.
Not yet a customer? <a href="https://www.23andme.com/store" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Visit our store</a>!
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Of the 50 people with the G2019S mutation studied, 37 have Parkinson’s and 13 do not. Cory has compared the genetic sequence data of those affected and those unaffected in hopes of finding genetic differences between the two groups that help explain why some have developed Parkinson’s while others haven’t. The study also confirms that it is possible to generate accurate whole-genome sequencing data from saliva samples (rather than blood).
Cory will present some of his initial findings in a poster at the<a href="http://www.ashg.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics</a> (ASHG) on November 7. The hope is that this genetic data will open up new avenues for Parkinson’s research.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of Parkinson’s Patients

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-12404" title="Parkinson's disease fight arm" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pd_fist_300px-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pd_fist_300px-150x150.png 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pd_fist_300px-271x271.png 271w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />
As we near our goal of enrolling 10,000 patients in 23andMe’s <a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Parkinson’s research community</a>, we are ever more eager to share what we are doing.
Last month our CEO, Anne Wojcicki, along with our Parkinson’s research manager Emily Drabant, went to Washington D.C with two friends of 23andMe – Maryum Ali, a Parkinson’s activist and daughter of Muhammad Ali, and Rich Clifford, a former NASA astronaut who has become another powerful voice on behalf of patients.
The main motivation for going to Washington was to explain 23andMe’s Parkinson’s research initiative. Although we’ve been around for awhile, many people, particularly in Washington, just don’t know about our research model or understand what is so different about it. Anne explained research model and our broader mission, while Rich and Maryum gave the patient&#8217;s perspective. 

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Over the course of their time in D.C., Anne, Emily, Rich and Maryum were able to meet with the Congressional Parkinson’s Caucus, as well as individual senators and representatives to discuss the need for more research into the disease.
They also hosted a briefing on crowd-sourcing cures and the future of Parkinson’s disease research. During the briefing, held at the House of Representatives’ Visitors Center in September, Anne gave a quick primer on 23andMe’s unique research platform and in particular our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Parkinson’s research initiative</a>, now the largest Parkinson&#8217;s community for genetic research in the world.
Working with the Muhammad Ali family, the Michael J. Fox Foundation and others 23andMe has created an engaged community that has quickly helped to make breakthroughs, including finding<a href="https://www.23andme.com/about/press/pd_discoveries_plos_62311/"> two new genes</a> associated with Parkinson&#8217;s.
During her presentation, Anne quoted Haydeh Payami, a New York State Department of Health neurodegenerative disease researcher, who said our research model could significantly accelerate disease research.
“What 23andMe did in a matter of years would have taken several decades and tens of millions of dollars” if done conventionally, she said.
The visit to D.C. offered a chance to explain how our research model engages individuals and allows them to come together, share information and participate in research. The model has accelerated the pace of research and engaged people in the process.
“People want to help each other,” and participate in research, Anne said. And they want access to their own genetic data to learn about their health, traits and ancestry.
Maryum Ali, whose father Muhammad Ali has battled Parkinson’s since 1984 and who recently joined forces with 23andMe to help encourage more patients to join the research initiative, said the research model offers incredible promise.
“So many discoveries that can be made through this kind of research,” she said.
For <a href="http://theastronautssecret.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rich Clifford</a>, a former NASA Astronaut who flew on the Space Shuttle Atlantis two years after getting his own diagnosis for Parkinson’s, said that 23andMe offers people an opportunity learn of their genetic risk for the disease giving them a chance to take steps to do something about it.
“I’m all about early detection,” he said.
The earlier someone learns of their risk the more they can do, Rich said. 
Because of new treatments much can be done to mitigate the effects of the disease if it’s detected early.
The visit accomplished what we hoped by introducing some of the policy makers in Washington to 23andMe and the possibilities of our research into Parkinson’s.
Check out some of our other recent posts on Parkinson’s: 
&#8211;<a href="../23andme-research/23andme-research/why-not-participate-one-patients-perspective/"> Why Not Participate? One Patient’s Perspective</a> 
&#8211;<a href="../23andme-research/23andme-research/23andmes-latest-publication-shines-light-on-male-pattern-baldness-and-unexpected-associations-with-disease/"> 23andMe’s Latest Publication Shines Light on Male Pattern Baldness and Unexpected Associations with Disease</a> 
&#8211;<a href="../23andme-research/23andme-and-you/23andme-and-parkinsons-past-present-and-future/"> 23andMe and Parkinson’s: Past, Present, and Future</a> 
&#8211;<a href="../23andme-research/news/the-state-of-the-science-of-parkinsons-research/"> The State of the Science of Parkinson’s Research</a>
&nbsp;

23andMe Goes to Washington

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-12100" title="emily" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/emily-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="300" />
Our<a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd/"> Parkinson’s research community</a> got some welcome attention from <a href="https://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/08/20/158943097/search-for-parkinsons-genes-turns-to-online-social-networking">NPR on Monday</a> just as we are on the cusp of reaching our goal of enrolling 10,000 patients.
The piece featured Emily Drabant, PhD, 23andMe’s research manager for our<a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd/"> Parkinson’s community,</a> and focused on our model of engaging patients as partners in research using online tools and social networking. While this isn’t new for us, some are only now warming to the idea and its potential.
In the NPR piece, Hank Greeley, a Stanford Law School professor, and sometimes critic of direct to consumer genetics testing companies like 23andMe, conceded that there’s power in the ability to tap into online tools for recruitment.
&#8220;[23andMe] may in theory be able to involve 10,000 people with Parkinson&#8217;s disease, and do it cheaply and easily,” Greely told NPR. &#8220;Now that&#8217;s something that academic researchers would love to be able to do.&#8221;
<div style="width: 200px; padding: 10px; float: right; margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 5px; border: 2px solid #c66;">
Participate in research!<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-12404" style="margin-bottom: 10px;" title="Parkinson's disease fight arm" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pd_fist_300px-150x150.png" alt="" width="125" height="125" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pd_fist_300px-150x150.png 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pd_fist_300px-271x271.png 271w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px" />
<div>As a member of 23andMe, you can participate in research simply by taking <a href="https://www.23andme.com/you/23andwe/surveys">surveys</a>. If you have Parkinson&#8217;s disease or know someone who does, learn more about joining our <a href="https://www.23andme.com/pd">Parkinson&#8217;s Disease</a> initiative!</div>
</div>
Getting to 10,000 is important because as any researcher will tell you, there is strength in numbers. Drawing from such a large pool of patients gives power to the research.
Having what is already the world’s largest Parkinson’s community for genetic research helped us discover <a href="https://www.23andme.com/about/press/pd_discoveries_plos_62311/">new genetic</a> variants associated with Parkinson’s – including a potentially <a href="https://www.23andme.com/about/press/sgk1/">protective factor</a>.
Parkinson’s is an extremely complex disease. Uncovering more about the role genetics plays in Parkinson’s could provide valuable information about the development of the disease and how to combat it. Last year 23andMe found<a href="http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pgen.1002141"> two new genetic associations</a> with Parkinson’s and more recently found a genetic variant in the gene<a href="https://www.23andme.com/about/press/sgk1/"> SGK1</a> that is potentially protective against the disease. With the help of the Michael J. Fox Foundation,<a href="http://www.scripps.edu/newsandviews/e_20111031/lograsso.html"> the Scripps Research Institute</a> is following up the SGK1 discovery with lab studies that we hope will lead to new treatments.
Check out some of our other recent posts on Parkinson&#8217;s: 
&#8211; <a href="../23andme-research/why-not-participate-one-patients-perspective/">Why Not Participate? One Patient’s Perspective</a>
&#8211; <a href="../23andme-research/23andmes-latest-publication-shines-light-on-male-pattern-baldness-and-unexpected-associations-with-disease/">23andMe’s Latest Publication Shines Light on Male Pattern Baldness and Unexpected Associations with Disease</a>
&#8211; <a href="../news/the-state-of-the-science-of-parkinsons-research/">The State of the Science of Parkinson’s Research</a>

Parkinson's Disease — Page 6