A number of specific genetic mutations causing Parkinson’s disease have been discovered. Genes identified as of 2008 are  Alpha-synuclein (SNCA),  ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1  (UCH-L1),  parkin  (PRKN), leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 ( LRRK2  or dardarin) , PINK 1 and DJ-1. [ 6 ]  With the exception of LRRK2 they account for