Environmental Factors May Raise Parkinsonâs Risk

["M.Schild" <mmoo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Parkinsonâs Institute: Environmental Factors May Raise Parkinsonâs Risk
Date Published: Thursday, April 5th, 2007
Pesticides and other toxic environmental agents can be dangerous risk factors 
in the development of Parkinsonâs disease, according to the latest research 
by the Parkinsonâs Institute. Surprisingly, however, the group also noted 
that nicotine may actually help fight Parkinsonâs disease.
The Collaborative Centers for Parkinsonâs Disease Environmental Research 
(CCPDER) is a joint study effort sponsored by the National Institute of 
Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and includes scientists from Emory 
University, UCLA, and the Parkinsonâs Institute, which has coordinated the 
study.
 
Among the significant findings: Both epidemiological statistics and laboratory 
evidence have determined that pesticides such as Paraquat and Dieldrin are 
potential risk factors for Parkinsonâs disease. In addition, they found that 
toxic environmental agents work to damage neurons by causing the accumulation 
of harmful proteins. On the positive side, the research found that 
anti-inflammatory drugs might be beneficial to patients, as is nicotine, 
which they say may act as a âneuroprotective agent.â
Dr. Donato A. Di Monte, director of basic research at the Parkinsonâs 
Institute, said, âThe findings â will help us better understand the disease 
process, intervene earlier with neuroprotective treatment, and work on 
preventive measures against Parkinsonâs disease risk factors.â

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