Ozzy Osbourne has a type of Parkinson’s disease called Parkin: A neurologist explains - Health - The Jakarta Post.

[aspergerian]

Ozzy Osbourne has a type of Parkinson’s disease called Parkin: A neurologist explains - Health - The Jakarta Post.

thejakartapost.com/life/202...

[sharoncrayn]

"Parkin" was originally designated as a very early age oriented (<40 year old individuals) Parkinsons to distinguish it from the traditional PD cohort (>65 year old individuals). Basically, just differentiating PD between the very young and the traditional PD population. NO difference in symptoms or symptomology, although presumably much slower in progression for several hypothetical reasons.

I believe Osborne is much older than 40.

Sharon

[sharoncrayn in reply to sharoncrayn]

What Osborne presumably has is also referred to as PARKIN type2 PD signifying a mutation of the Parkin2 gene that somehow destroys or interrupts the integrity of one's mitochondria. IOW, it leads to the accumulation of improperly folded, aggregated proteins and degenerated mitochondria at an early age. Rarely at an older age such as his case.

Since Parkin2 has has a very strong tendency to be inherited, I guess we can assume somewhere in his family's history someone had PD with this gene mutation. However, it isn't quite that simple since the appropriate pathway has to exist. Park2 also causes AR-JP particularly in younger PD cohorts (20-40) or even juveniles. So, he certainly wasn't diagnosed that early, which is relatively rare for a Parkin2 mutation.

Interestingly, selective neural cell death occurs with the Parkin2 without formation of "Lewy" bodies which normally occurs with the onset and progression of PD. Why? I don't think anyone knows.

I wouldn't consider Parkin2 as a distinct "type" of PD since symptoms are essentially identical with typical PD, but many would disagree with me I am sure.

Sharon

[jeffreyn]

Background info on PARK2/PARKIN:

scienceofparkinsons.com/201...