Pesticides may directly cause Parkinson's disease

NaturalNews) Pesticide exposure may not just increase the risk of Parkinson's disease, but may actually start a cascade of events that directly cause the disease, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA), UC-Berkeley and the University of Southern California, and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Parkinson's disease is an incurable, degenerative neurological disease characterized by symptoms such as tremor, rigidity and a dramatic slowing of speech and movement. It is believed to be caused by the destruction of neurons in the brain, particularly in the substantia nigra region of the mid-brain. One of this region's functions is the production of dopamine, which plays an important role in communication between cells. By the time Parkinson's disease is detected, it is not uncommon for more than 50 percent of the brain's dopamine-producing neurons to have already been destroyed.

Although a small percentage of Parkinson's cases appear to be due to inherited, genetic causes, the vast majority of cases seem unlinked to genetics.

"As a result, environmental factors almost certainly play an important role in this disorder," co-author Arthur G. Fitzmaurice said. "Understanding the relevant mechanisms - particularly what causes the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons - may provide important clues to explain how the disease develops."



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