POSSIBLE CAUSES OF PARKINSONS DISEASE
ERROR MSG The following article is reprinted, with permission, from PADRECC Pathways Volume 2, No. 2, under the title, Directors Corner. When your family members and friends ask you what causes Parkinsons disease, this would be an excellent article to have them read.
I wish to update you on the latest thinking on factors involved in the cause(s) of Parkinsons disease (PD). Though the origin of PD remains unclear, there are most likely multiple causes rather than one single cause. The National Parkinson Foundation estimates that 1.5 million people in the United States suffer from PD. The disease affects men more than women and rarely occurs in individuals under 40 years of age.
Though results from dietary studies are controversial, there appears to be an increased risk of PD associated with dietary iron, manganese, and heavy metal intake. No strong association has been found with fat, certain vitamins, or antioxidants, but folic acid deficiency might be a causative factor.
Turin hotelsEnvironmental toxins can cause PD-like syndromes. Researchers find an association with rural living and agricultural work. There is evidence that pesticides and herbicides may increase the risk of PD. While chronic exposure to rotenone, a common pesticide used in vegetable gardens, causes PD in rats, it has not been shown to produce PD in humans.
Genetics may also contribute to the cause of the disease. The younger the age of symptom onset, the more likely that genetic factors play a more important role. The Twin Study of WWII veterans substantiated this. Furthermore, ten single gene mutations responsible for familial PD have been identified.
Interestingly, researchers find a 50% decreased risk of PD among cigarette smokers. One theory is that perhaps nicotine protects brain cells from being damaged by toxins. Caffeine consumption is also associated with reduced risks that are more notable in men than women. As of yet, we are not sure what the mechanism is nor do we recommend taking on unhealthy lifestyle habits to combat PD.
In summary, a combination of genetic and environment factors causing dysfunction of brain cells play a likely role in the origin of PD. - Eugene C. Lai, MD, PhD*
*Dr. Lai is Director of PADRECC, the Parkinsons Disease Research Education and Clinical Center at the Houston VA Medical Center. A movement disorders specialist and associate professor of neurology at Baylor College of Medicine, he is a clinician scientist with special interests in the causes and treatments of neurodegenerative diseases and has years of experience in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating patients with Parkinsons disease. We are very proud to say that Dr. Lai is a member of PFHCs Medical Advisory Board.
If you are a veteran with Parkinsons disease and not yet a participant at PADRECC, call our office at 713-552-0858, and we will be happy to help you enroll in this wonderful program.
PARKINSONS IS EXPENSIVE!
A study in Ontario compared the expenses associated with treating people with Parkinsons disease (PD) to people without PD. They found the average annual prescription drug expenses were 300% higher for PD patients! The cost for physician care was 40% higher. There were about 45% more hospitalizations among PD patients, and the average length of stay was 19% longer.
