Pesticides Linked To Parkinson's Disease

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Main Category: Parkinson's Disease
Also Included In: Neurology / Neuroscience;  Public Health
Article Date: 26 Jun 2006 - 10:00 PDT

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Exposure to pesticides is linked to a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease, say researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health, USA. People with low level exposure to pesticide sprays have a 70% increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease when compared to people with no or very low exposure.

This suggests that any type of pesticide exposure, be it occupationally related or not, may raise a person's risk. Exposure to home or garden pesticides probably raises a person's risk accordingly, say the researchers.

You can read about this study in the July issue of Annals of Neurology.

The researchers looked at the lifestyle questionnaires filled in by 143,000 men and women. The survey started in 1982, with regular follow-ups until 2001. In 1982 none of the 143,000 people had Parkinson's disease or any of its symptoms. 413 of them have since developed the Parkinson's disease - a much higher percentage of them were exposed to pesticides than the rest of the people.

Lead author, Alberto Ascherio, said the association between pesticide exposure and Parkinson's disease was 'significant'. He added that everyone should be especially careful about using pesticides in general.

Previous studies have indicated that exposure to pesticides can cause key brain cells to be destroyed, which could be a cause of Parkinson's disease.

It is estimated that about 6.3 million people worldwide suffer from Parkinson's disease.

Abstract
"Pesticide exposure and risk for Parkinson's disease"
Click here to see abstract online
Annals of Neurology 26 Jun 2006

The study was funded by:

-- Michael J. Fox Foundation
-- Kinetic Foundation
-- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Grant Number: ES10804

Researchers

Alberto Ascherio, MD, DrPH
Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Honglei Chen, MD, PhD
Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
Marc G. Weisskopf, PhD
Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Eilis O'Reilly, MSc
Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Marjorie L. McCullough, ScD
Epidemiology and Surveillance Research Department, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
Eugenia E. Calle, PhD Epidemiology and Surveillance Research Department, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
Michael A. Schwarzschild, MD, PhD
Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Michael J. Thun, MD
Epidemiology and Surveillance Research Department, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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