A PLAN to address the Parkinson pandemic

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Environmental Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Parkinson's disease is a growing global pandemic, affecting nearly 12 million individuals.
• Environmental toxicants, including pesticides, dry-cleaning chemicals, and air pollution, are increasingly linked to Parkinson's etiology.
• Emerging models suggest Parkinson's may originate in the brain and body due to toxicant exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a "PLAN" to address the Parkinson pandemic.
• To emphasize prevention, understanding disease origins, amplifying patient voices, and advancing treatments.
• To establish ambitious 0-10-100 goals by 2035 for Parkinson's disease control.

Main Methods:

• The study proposes a multi-faceted approach focusing on reducing toxicant exposure.
• Investigating environmental exposures, gene-environment interactions, and disease modifiers.
• Expanding research funding and prioritizing prevention research.

Main Results:

• A proposed "PLAN" aims to prevent Parkinson's disease, understand its causes, support patients, and improve treatments.
• Key goals by 2035 include a 0% rise in incidence, a 10-fold increase in research funding (with a focus on prevention), and 100% access to care.
• Reducing environmental toxicants is crucial for slowing the disease's progression.

Conclusions:

• A proactive, comprehensive plan is essential to combat the rising Parkinson pandemic.
• Addressing environmental factors and increasing research are critical steps toward controlling Parkinson's disease.
• The proposed goals provide a framework for significant advancements in Parkinson's prevention and treatment by 2035.