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To determine whether α-synuclein dinucleotide repeat (REP1) genotypes are associated with survival in Parkinson's disease (PD).Investigators from the Genetic Epidemiology of Parkinson's Disease Consortium provided REP1 genotypes and baseline and follow-up clinical data for cases. The primary outcome was time to death. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the association of REP1 genotypes with survival.Twenty-one sites contributed data for 6,154 cases. There was no significant association between α-synuclein REP1 genotypes and survival in PD. However, there was a significant association between REP1 genotypes and age at onset of PD (hazard ratio: 1.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.10; P value = 0.01).In our large consortium study, α-synuclein REP1 genotypes were not associated with survival in PD. Further studies of α-synuclein's role in disease progression and long-term outcomes are needed.

A new vaccine against systemic meningococcal serogroup B disease showed significant protection among Norwegian teenagers. From a total 233,000 students in the country's mandatory secondary schools, 74% volunteered for the trial. We have analysed which factors were important for their decision whether or not to volunteer. A random sample of 10,000 students and all 3,000 professionals involved in the trial were subjects in a questionnaire study. Three factors had a dominant influence on the students' decision: their parents' opinion; the students' appreciation of the importance of participation; and whether their friends participated. The teachers' attitudes, the extent of information, geographic, socio-economic, and ideological factors all played a minor role in influencing the acceptance rate. Many teenagers reported fear of injections, but this fear was subject to modification by an information campaign. A 90–95% coverage rate is feasible in a vaccination programme for teenagers.