HUM-MOLGEN archive: posting

************************************************************* HUM-MOLGEN DIAGnostics/Clinical Research ************************************************************** This DIAG message contains 3 submessage(s),1 patient request: 1. Parkinson's Cluster 2. Microtia 3. NF2--Pt Request Carlo Gambacorti MD, Editor, Agnes Tay, MD PhD, Asst Editor Human Molecular Genetics Network Diagnostics/Clinical Research Section ======================================================================== 1. Parkinson's Cluster Is there evidence for a genetic component to Parkinson's Disease? I have just learned of a cluster of 12 individuals who might be related by a founder effect. Any information would be appreciated. Bob Pollack <pollack@clumbia.edu> Robert E Pollack Professor, Dept of Biological Sciences 749 Fairchild Laboratory 1212 Amsterdam Avenue mailcode 2419 Columbia University New York NY 10027 phone: 212 854 2409 fax: 212 854 0897 ============================================================ 2. Microtia I've just seen two unrelated Latin American patients with isolated bilateral Microtia III (no spinal anomalies, no facial dysmorphism). The first, a little boy, has no family history, and the family was given a low recurrence risk. The second, a little girl has a distant family history (father's mother's sister and that person's child) of _unilateral_ microtia. I have examined the father and his ears are normal. He reports that his mother's ears also are normal. Literature is all over the board. I would appreciate any advice regarding couseling this family on recurrence risk. Based upon what I have found, I am inclined towards telling them that their empiric risk is about 5%, but that it may be as high as 50%. Angela E. Scheuerle, M.D. Assistant Professor Division of Medical Genetics Department of Pediatrics UT Health Science Center - Houston 6431 Fannin, MSB 3.144 Houston TX 77030 ascheuer@ped1.med.uth.tmc.edu ============================================================ 3.NF2--Patient Request Apparent Pt Location: England PLEASE REPLY DIRECTLY TO HUM-MOLGEN Dear all, I am keen to know as much as possible about the latest research into NF2. I am a patient of the disorder, and would appreciate any information particularly about new forms of (non-surgical) treatment. ==================================================================