substantia nigra has been demonstrated in PD patients as compared to controls41. This loss may result from a downregulation of genes within M47 in the substantia nigra of PD patients, similarly as was observed in blood transcriptomics of PD38–40. This could be confirmed for ATXN3 in the substantia nigra of PD patients42. Therefore, these genes have the potential to serve as blood biomarkers for PD vulnerability. Overall, these studies suggest that dysregulation of genes within module M47 involved in blood-oxygen transport and the immune system influence brain regions to be selectively vulnerable to PD.
