From the Guidelines
The primary risk factors for Parkinson's disease include advancing age, genetic factors, and environmental exposures, with a combination of these factors contributing to the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra. The risk factors for Parkinson's disease are multifaceted and include:
- Advancing age, with most cases developing after age 60 1
- Male gender, as men are about 1.5 times more likely to develop the condition than women
- Genetic factors, particularly mutations in genes like LRRK2, PARK7, PRKN, PINK1, and SNCA, with family history increasing risk by 4-9%
- Environmental exposures, including prolonged exposure to pesticides, herbicides, and industrial chemicals such as trichloroethylene 1
- Head trauma, especially repeated concussions, may increase risk through brain inflammation and damage
- Rural living and agricultural work correlate with higher rates, likely due to chemical exposures
- Certain medications like antipsychotics that block dopamine receptors can cause drug-induced parkinsonism Some lifestyle factors appear protective, including:
- Regular exercise
- Caffeine consumption
- Smoking (though not recommended due to other health risks) are associated with reduced Parkinson's risk 1 The disease develops when dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra degenerate, with most cases resulting from a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers rather than a single cause. Key considerations in managing Parkinson's disease include monitoring for weight changes, as weight loss is a key feature of the disease and may be associated with disease progression 1, and assessing vitamin status, as low vitamin D levels have been associated with the risk of developing Parkinson's disease 1.
From the Research
Risk Factors for Parkinson's Disease
- Age: The incidence of Parkinson's disease increases with age, especially for those above 70 years old 2
- Gender: Parkinson's disease has a higher prevalence in men than in women, although the exact reason for this is not well understood
- Ethnicity: Some studies suggest that Parkinson's disease may be more prevalent in certain ethnic groups, although more research is needed to confirm this 2
- Genetics: Genetic factors can play a role in the development of Parkinson's disease, with some cases being caused by mutations in specific genes 3, 2, 4
- Environmental factors: Exposure to certain environmental toxins, such as pesticides and herbicides, has been linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease 5, 6, 4
- Lifestyle factors: Certain lifestyle factors, such as a diet high in dairy products, may also increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease 2
- Medical history: A history of traumatic brain injury, rapid eye movement sleep disorder, or other medical conditions may also increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease 2
- Protective factors: Certain factors, such as smoking, consumption of caffeine, and physical activity, may actually decrease the risk of developing Parkinson's disease 2
Specific Environmental Risk Factors
- Pesticides: Exposure to pesticides has been shown to increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, possibly due to their ability to inhibit mitochondrial Complex-I and cause mitochondrial dysfunction 5, 6, 4
- Herbicides: Similar to pesticides, exposure to herbicides has also been linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease 5, 4
- Head trauma: A history of head trauma may also increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease 4