Different classes of mutations have been described in the parkin gene [6] and recent studies have identified several deletions, duplications and point mutations in individuals with this form of parkinsonism [17-20] estimated to be responsible for 50% of autosomal recessive early-onset and 18–20% of sporadic early-onset cases of parkinsonism [10,21]. This evidence concerns the gene PRKN and Parkinson disease.