Google Founder Funds Parkinson's Study
Posted: 8:56 pm PDT March 12, 2009Updated: 12:22 am PDT March 13, 2009
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- Google Inc. co-founder Sergey Brin is funding gene scans for 10,000 Parkinson's patients to better understand the disease's roots. The scans will be performed by 23andMe Inc., the direct-to-consumer genetic testing startup co-founded by Brin's wife, Anne Wojcicki. The hope is to discover genetic variations the patients have in common that could be connected to the disease. Brin's mother has Parkinson's disease. Brin said last year that a 23andMe scan showed he carries a mutation that increases his risk of developing Parkinson's. Brin's backing will allow patients to pay $25 for the scan instead of the regular $399 price. The program announced today is a collaboration with the Sunnyvale-based Parkinson's Institute and the Michael J. Fox. Foundation.
Copyright 2009 by KTVU.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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