Chinese researchers have identified a gene that may cause neurological disorders.

Primary familial brain calcification (PFBC) is a neurological disease, with high incidence among the elderly, while symptoms include difficulty in walking and speaking.

The study was done by researchers from the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, the Institute of Neuroscience and State Key Neuroscience Laboratory, the latter two with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

They identified a new causal gene, MYORG, which encodes a protein composed of 714 amino acids.

After experiments on mice, the gene was found to be recessive, while other known PFBC genes are dominant.

In 2012, researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology discovered the first PFBC causal gene; however, over 50 per cent of the genetic factors are still unclear.

Media report said the new finding was published in the journal Neuron. (Xinhua/NAN)