Re: Parkinson-Diabetes link

[Nancy Walker <nwalker@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Surveying my local support group very informally, I found that
>In 17 of 21 Parkinsonians I've talked to, diabetes occurs in a  sibling or
>parent. That diabetes frequency is astounding....
>
>Dopamine ultimately breaks down to adrenalin, which is insulin's inhibitor, I
> think....
>
>So, my support group (Greater Portland, Maine) wonders what the GENETIC
>explanation could be.
>We're all curious to hear from other Parkinsonians.
>Do other Parkinsonians  have diabetic siblings or parents?
>
>I think there is a GENE which can  cause PD or diabetes, depending on what
>other genetic factors are present.
>
>Anyone doing genetic studies may find this link worth pursuing.  It could be
>crucial to unlocking the still mysterious cause of Parkinson's!
>


This observation is of interest to me because of my Dad's (and other PDer's
on this list) "burning feet".  There has been a lot of discussion recently
about a burning sensation in PD patients.  There is also some discussion in
the archives.  Not everyone's is in their feet from what I understand.  No
one in my family has diabetes however one of my sisters' has been told she
is borderline.  The thing that interest me is that alot of people has told
my Dad that this "burning sensation" sounds like a symptom of diabetes.  He
has been tested with negative results.

Nancy Walker