Role of Environment in Parkinson’s Disease

What is it about?

Studies suggest that genetic and environmental factors may interact to influence the progression of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD). Family history of PD is a risk factor for the disease. Genetic factors have been associated with early and late onset forms of PD. Exposure to certain chemicals has been associated with parkinsonism, but no consistent association has been made between exposure to any particular chemical and the prevalence or incidence of idiopathic PD. In this chapter, we review the research to date on the role of the environment in the normal aging of the nigrostrial pathway, parkinsonism, and idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.

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Why is it important?

This chapter discusses the role of environmental and occupational exposures to toxic chemicals in age at onset of Parkinson's disease.