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Gene-environment Interaction Models to Unmask Susceptibility Mechanisms in Parkinson's Disease
Published on: January 7, 2014
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Environmental Exposures and Parkinson's Disease
Sirisha Nandipati1, Irene Litvan2
1Department of Neurosciences Movement Disorders Center, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA. sirisha.nandipati@kp.org.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|September 7, 2016
Summary
Environmental toxins like pesticides are linked to Parkinson's disease (PD) risk. Evidence strongly suggests rotenone, paraquat, and organochlorines contribute to PD development and neuropathology.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions globally.
- The Braak hypothesis suggests a pathologic agent enters the nervous system, potentially via environmental exposures.
- Environmental factors are investigated for their role in PD pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and examine epidemiologic evidence linking environmental exposures to Parkinson's disease.
- To assess the association between pesticides, industrial compounds, metals, and PD risk.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of human epidemiologic studies.
- Searched PubMed and Google Scholar databases up to April 2016.
- Included studies on pesticides, industrial compounds, and metals.
Main Results:
- Strong evidence links rotenone, paraquat, and organochlorines to increased PD risk and neuropathology.
- Organophosphates and pyrethroids show limited but suggestive associations in human and animal studies.
- Studies do not support a link between iron or manganese and PD, despite observed neuropathology or parkinsonism.
Conclusions:
- Paraquat, rotenone, and organochlorines have a strong association with Parkinson's disease.
- Further research is needed for organophosphates, pyrethroids, and polychlorinated biphenyls.
- Current evidence does not support a direct association between metals like iron and manganese with PD development.
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