New research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham highlights the role of preventable risk factors in the development of Parkinson’s disease (PD).
This study, involving over 1,200 participants from the Southern region of the United States, sheds light on two significant factors contributing to PD: repeated head injuries from activities like football and exposure to herbicides and pesticides.
The study focused on 808 individuals with PD and 415 neurologically healthy controls. Researchers made two crucial discoveries regarding the influence of preventable risk factors on PD:
Head Injuries: Repeated head injuries, even if they don’t result in concussions, were found to double the risk of developing PD later in life. Activities like sports or military combat that involve frequent blows to the head may contribute to this risk.
Environmental Toxins: Exposure to pesticides, herbicides, and chemicals related to military service was associated with 23% of PD cases in both men and women. These environmental factors contribute significantly to PD risk.
The research challenges the assumption that PD is entirely unavoidable. While genetic factors play a role in about 5% of PD cases, the remaining 95% are believed to be influenced by external factors that can lead to the disease in genetically susceptible individuals.
The study underscores the potential for preventing PD by addressing these preventable risk factors. Eliminating toxic chemicals from the environment and making contact sports safer, such as football, could significantly reduce the incidence of PD.
The study’s findings suggest that the incidence of PD may vary among populations based on the prevalence of these risk factors.
In regions where toxic chemicals commonly found in American products are banned, such as Europe, the fraction of PD cases attributed to these chemicals may be lower.
The numbers related to PD cases may change over time, depending on the actions taken to improve environmental conditions and safety standards.
Taking proactive measures to reduce exposure to preventable risk factors can have a positive impact on preventing PD in the future.
Parkinson’s disease is not entirely unavoidable, and this research highlights the importance of addressing preventable risk factors.
By reducing exposure to toxic chemicals and enhancing safety in activities like sports, we can potentially prevent a significant portion of PD cases. This study provides hope for prevention and emphasizes the need for ongoing efforts to create a healthier and safer environment.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies about Vitamin E that may help prevent Parkinson’s disease, and Vitamin D could benefit people with Parkinson’s disease.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about new way to treat Parkinson’s disease, and results showing COVID-19 may be linked to Parkinson’s disease.
The research findings can be found in npj Parkinson’s Disease.
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