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Environmental Risk Factors for Parkinson's Disease: A Critical Review and Policy Implications
Kajsa Atterling Brolin1,2, Eva Schaeffer3, Ashvin Kuri2
1Translational Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Movement Disorders : Official Journal of the Movement Disorder Society
|November 27, 2024
Summary
Environmental factors like pesticides and air pollution may causally contribute to Parkinson's disease (PD). Further research and policy action are needed to address these modifiable risks and prevent future PD cases.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroepidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) prevalence is rising globally, necessitating identification of modifiable risk factors for prevention.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) advises reducing exposure to environmental factors linked to PD, including pesticides, trichloroethylene (TCE), and air pollution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate epidemiological and biological evidence linking environmental factors to PD.
- To assess the causality of these associations, considering the long latency period of PD.
- To inform policy action for PD prevention based on current evidence.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of epidemiological studies on PD and environmental exposures.
- Analysis of biological evidence, including mechanistic studies and animal models.
- Critical appraisal of evidence for causal inference.
Main Results:
- Associations between pesticides, TCE, air pollution, and PD are reported.
- Causality is challenging to establish in isolation due to long latency between exposure and PD onset.
- Combined evidence from human studies and animal models suggests harmful causal effects.
Conclusions:
- While evidence gaps exist, the current body of evidence supports a causal link between specific environmental factors and PD.
- Stronger policy interventions are warranted to mitigate exposure to these identified risk factors.
- Addressing environmental contributors is crucial for future Parkinson's disease prevention strategies.
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