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Movement Disorders & Family History
Many movement disorders seem to run in families. Why this is true is the subject of intense debate and research. There are all sorts of explanations. In some cases, there is one gene that causes the disorder, if the person who carries the gene lives long enough, that person will definitely get the disorder. In some cases, there is one gene that causes the disorder but, even if the person who carries the gene lives to old age, that person may or may not get the disorder. In some disorders, several genes have been identified in several families that cause similar signs and symptoms. In some cases, there is no known specific disease-causing gene, but there is "linkage" or association that has been made with a specific region of the human genome although we are not certain that the associated gene actually causes the disorder. For yet other disorders, there may be a "susceptibility gene" that along with a specific environmental trigger causes a specific disorder. In some cases, two family members who shared the same environment growing up get the same movement disorder. Is that environmental? Or, could the cause be genetic? That's a very important question to answer.
It is common practice for a neurologist to ask an individual with symptoms of a neurological condition whether other family members are also affected with the same or related symptoms. It is therefore useful to know or investigate family history of disease including symptoms, ages of onset, causes and ages of death in family members including siblings, parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and first cousins. Such knowledge may provide the key to a diagnosis. If a pattern of symptoms or a family history suggests a genetic disease, a referral for genetic counseling and testing may be required.
Also See:
 Genetic Counseling
Genetics of Movement Disorders
Genetics Research
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