Most of the mutations in PINK1 and Parkin that are found in PD affect the process of mitophagy, which suggests that dysfunction in the mechanism for eliminating damaged mitochondria is part of the etiology of PD, and this understanding of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial maintenance will be helpful in the prevention of neurodegeneration in PD. Here, PINK1 is linked to Parkinson disease.