Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system. While the exact cause of Parkinson's disease is still unknown, research has shown that genetics plays a significant role in its development.

Several genes have been identified that are associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. One of the most well-known genes is the LRRK2 gene. Mutations in this gene have been found to be responsible for both familial and sporadic cases of Parkinson's disease. For example, the G2019S mutation in the LRRK2 gene is one of the most common genetic mutations associated with Parkinson's disease.

Another gene that has been linked to Parkinson's disease is the SNCA gene, which codes for a protein called alpha-synuclein. Mutations in the SNCA gene can lead to the accumulation of abnormal alpha-synuclein protein in the brain, which is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease.

In addition to these specific genes, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several genetic variations that are associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. These variations are found in genes involved in various biological processes, such as mitochondrial function, lysosomal pathways, and immune responses.

It's important to note that while these genetic factors increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, they do not guarantee that an individual will develop the condition. Other environmental and lifestyle factors also play a role in the development of Parkinson's disease.

References:

1. Lesage, S., & Brice, A. (2009). Parkinson's disease: from monogenic forms to genetic susceptibility factors. Human molecular genetics, 18(R1), R48-R59.
2. Chen, L., & Feany, M. B. (2005). Alpha-synuclein phosphorylation controls neurotoxicity and inclusion formation in a Drosophila model of Parkinson disease. Nature neuroscience, 8(5), 657-663.
3. Nalls, M. A., et al. (2014). Large-scale meta-analysis of genome-wide association data identifies six new risk loci for Parkinson's disease. Nature genetics, 46(9), 989-993.