Alpha-synuclein has received increasing interest because of its role in Parkinson's disease (PD) (Chartier-Harlin et al. 2004; Kruger et al. 1998; Singleton et al. 2003; Spillantini et al. 1998), in which mutations and haplotypes of the snca gene encoding alpha-synuclein are associated with development of, or increased risk for the disease (Kruger et al. 1998; Polymeropoulos et al. 1997; Satake et al. 2009; Zarranz et al. 2004). The gene discussed is SNCA; the disease is Parkinson disease.