News Review From Harvard Medical School — Gene, Pesticides Linked to Parkinson's Risk

February 6, 2014

News Review From Harvard Medical School -- Gene, Pesticides Linked to Parkinson's Risk

People who have a variant gene and are exposed to certain pesticides may have a higher risk of Parkinson's disease, a new study finds. Researchers tested a variety of pesticides. They found that several of them interfere with the function of an enzyme called ALDH. This enzyme helps to break down chemicals that kill brain cells involved in making dopamine. People with Parkinson's disease have too little dopamine. Researchers asked about exposure to pesticides among people who were part of a study of Parkinson's risk in 3 California farming counties. In all, 360 people had Parkinson's and 816 people did not. Some people had a different (variant) version of a gene that provides instructions for making ALDH. Researchers looked at Parkinson's rates in people exposed to the pesticides that interfere with ALDH. Those with the variant gene were 2 to 5 times as likely to develop Parkinson's disease as those without the gene. The increase in risk varied for different pesticides. The journal Neurology published the study online February 5. HealthDay News wrote about it.

By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D.Harvard Medical School

What Is the Doctor's Reaction?

Parkinson's disease is a disease of the central nervous system that slowly gets worse. Symptoms include:

Over time, these symptoms tend to become more and more disabling. They can have a devastating impact on those with Parkinson's disease and their loved ones.

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News Review From Harvard Medical School -- Gene, Pesticides Linked to Parkinson's Risk