Sergey Brin Could Develop Parkinson's Disease

Google Inc co-founder Sergey Brin announced that he has a gene mutation which is linked to familial Parkinson's. Brin made the announcement on his personal blog. Test results indicate that Brin has a 20 to 80 percent chance of developing the disease.

Google Inc co-founder Sergey Brin said he doesn't have Parkinson's disease but has the genetic code that increases the likelihood.

In a blog posting on Thursday, Brin announced that both he and his mother carry the G2019 mutation of the LRRK2 gene. The gene is linked to familial Parkinson's.

"This leaves me in a rather unique position," he wrote in his blog. "I know early in my life something I am substantially predisposed to. I now have the opportunity to adjust my life to reduce those odds," Brin added.

The disease from first formally described and published in 1817 by a physician named James Parkinson. However, it is believed that the disease has existed for many thousands of years.

Brin said the genetic tests meant his chances of developing the disease was somewhere between 20 percent to 80 percent. He also said he may help fund research into the disease.