Is Parkinson’s Disease Hereditary?

When someone in the family is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a natural question arises: Could I get it too? Is Parkinson’s hereditary? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. In most cases, Parkinson’s is not directly inherited, but genetics can play a role—and research in this area is rapidly evolving.

Most Cases Are Not Inherited

About 85–90% of Parkinson’s cases have no clear hereditary link. This means the disease often develops sporadically, without a family history. In these cases, environmental factors, age, and lifestyle are thought to play a more significant role.

When Is Parkinson’s Hereditary?

Roughly 10–15% of cases involve a genetic component. That means the disease may be linked to mutations in specific genes associated with Parkinson’s. Some of the most well-known include:

• LRRK2

• SNCA

• PINK1

• PARK7

• PRKN

Having a mutation in one of these genes increases your risk, but it doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop Parkinson’s. It’s more about genetic susceptibility than certainty.

Hereditary vs. Genetic Risk

It’s important to distinguish between a disease that is directly inherited—with a high chance of developing symptoms—and a genetic predisposition, where your risk is increased but still influenced by other factors. Many people carry genetic variants linked to higher risk but never develop the disease.

Should You Get Genetic Testing?

For families where multiple members have had Parkinson’s—especially at a younger age—genetic counseling might be an option. Genetic testing can offer insights but may also raise difficult questions, such as what to do with the results. That’s why it’s important to speak with a doctor or genetic counselor before pursuing testing.

Is There Anything You Can Do?

Even if you have a genetic risk, that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. Studies suggest that regular exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding long-term exposure to pesticides may offer some protection. While research on prevention is ongoing, lifestyle choices likely play a meaningful role.

The Link Between Genetics and Dementia in Parkinson’s

Some genetic forms of Parkinson’s disease carry a higher risk of cognitive decline or dementia. For example, mutations in the SNCA gene are associated not only with movement symptoms but also with earlier onset of dementia. This means that hereditary Parkinson’s may sometimes present with a different pattern than the more typical, non-genetic form.

Understanding the genetic side of Parkinson’s empowers both patients and families to make more informed decisions—whether about personal health, long-term planning, or participation in research.

Sensorem’s safety alarm has GPS positioning, medication reminders and automatic fall alarm

Sensorem’s personal alarm is an example of a technical aid specially developed for people with dementia. The personal alarm works outdoors and has built-in GPS positioning so that relatives can see the user’s position on a map in the Sensorem app. Relatives are automatically called by the personal alarm (two-way communication) if the user leaves a predetermined geographical area. The personal alarm also has medication reminders, which means that the watch emits a sound and tells the user that it is time to take their medication. The personal alarm can also alert automatically in the event of a fall with the built-in fall sensor.