Finally, we compared the CHCHD2 mRNA levels in erythrocytes with disease severity, including worsening of motor symptoms and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and disease duration by comparing CHCHD2 mRNA to the UPDRS part III on-state motor scores, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score, and time following diagnosis in the validation cohorts of PD patients (n = 205 total; cases < 50 years were not excluded due to the lack of age dependence as determined above). Here, CHCHD2 is linked to Parkinson disease.