Environmental and Familial Risk Factors of Parkinsons Disease: Case-Control Study

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disease, affects approximately 1% of the elderly population over 60 years. Prevalence of PD varies between 18 and 148 per 1,00,000 population world-wide 1 . Age-adjustment and restriction to studies using similar methodology reduce the variation between 102 and 190 per 1,00,000 population in Western countries. The Euro-Parkinson study 2 reported the prevalence rates from five European countries namely USA, Germany, France, UK and Sweden within a similar range. As the world population ages, it is estimated that the cost of PD will continue to rise. Since its description by James Parkinson in 1817, many attempts have ABSTRACT: Background: While the cause of Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unknown, evidence suggests certain environmental factors, such as well water drinking, herbicides, pesticides exposure and neurotoxins, may trigger the chain of oxidative reactions culminating in the death of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra to cause Parkinsonism. To investigate the possible impact of environmental risk factors for idiopathic PD, a case-control study was performed in the Eastern India. Methods: During the period from January 1st, 2006 and December 10th, 2009, 175 PD patients (140 men, 35 women) and 350 non-Parkinson age-sex matched controls were included in the study. Subjects were given a structured neurological examination and completed an administered questionnaire which elicited detailed information on demographic data, pesticides, herbicides family history, occupation, dietary and smoking habits. Results: The multivariate analysis revealed that family history of PD, pesticide exposure, exposure to toxins other than pesticides and herbicides, rural living and previous history of depression were associated with increased risk of PD, whereas, smoking appeared to be a protective factor. Well water drinking for at least five years, though a significant risk factor on univariate analysis (OR=4.5, 95% CI=2.1-9.9), could not be proved significant in multivariate analysis. Head trauma, vegetarian dietary habit, occupation involving physical exertion and exposure to domestic pets were not as significant risk factors. Conclusion: Results of our study support the hypothesis of multifactorial etiology of PD with environmental factors acting on a genetically susceptible host. Les sujets ont subi un examen neurologique structuré et ont rempli un questionnaire sur les données démographiques, l'exposition à des pesticides et à des herbicides, l'histoire familiale, le métier ou la profession, les habitudes alimentaires et le tabagisme. Résultats : L'analyse multivariée a montré que l'histoire familiale de MP, l'exposition à des pesticides, l'exposition à des toxines autres que des pesticides et des herbicides, la vie à la campagne et l'histoire antérieure de dépression étaient associées à un risque accru de MP. Le tabagisme semblait être un facteur de protection. Bien que la consommation d'eau de puits pendant au moins 5 ans ait été un facteur de risque significatif à l'a...

DJ-1 Interacts with and Regulates Paraoxonase-2, an Enzyme Critical for Neuronal Survival in Response to Oxidative Stress

“…One possibility is that the lactonase activity per se is essential for regulation of death and oxidative stress. Multiple lines of evidence have shown that environmental factors such as pesticide exposure can increase the risk of early onset of Parkinson's disease [72], [73], [74]. Paraoxon is an organophosphorus compounds, active metabolite of the insecticide parathion, whose toxicity is due to their strong anticholinesterase action.…”

Correlations Among Heavy Metals in Blood and Urine and Their Relations to Depressive Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease Patients

“…Bower et al 9) studied the association of three personality traits related to neuroticism with a subsequent risk of PD. Sanyal et al 10) also reported that a previous history of depression was associated with increased risk of PD. These studies suggested that depression might predict an increased risk of PD developing many years later, and common background may exist in the etiology of both PD and depression.…”

Heavy Metals in Blood and Urine and Its Relation to Depressive Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease Patients

“…The study suggested that an anxious personality trait might predict an increased risk of PD developing many years later. Sanyal et al 11) also reported that the multivariate analysis revealed that a previous history of depression was associated with increased risk of PD.…”