Parkinson's disease is a condition that makes it hard to initiate and coordinate movement. To control movement, your body needs the help of a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine acts as a carrier that brings messages from your brain to the part of your body you want to move. If you have Parkinson's disease or PD, the structure in your brain that produces dopamine becomes damaged. While there is currently no cure for PD, in some cases the progression of this disease can be slowed if caught early enough. Part of catching this condition early is knowing if you have any risk factors for Parkinson's disease.
Being Over 60 and Male
While the exact mechanisms that cause Parkinson's disease are not well understood, there are conditions that place you at a higher risk for developing PD. Parkinson's disease tends to occur during the middle and later stages of life. Most cases tend to be diagnosed after age 60. If you are diagnosed at age 50 or earlier, it is called young onset Parkinson's disease. In rare cases it can be diagnosed before age 20, which is called juvenile parkinsonism. The challenge with PD is that there are no definitive laboratory tests to help confirm a diagnosis. You can go for years before knowing what is causing your symptoms. This means that the age of onset may be much earlier than research shows. For reasons not well understood, men tend to get PD more often than women.
Family History
Parkinson's disease tends to run in families. This means that there may be a genetic cause. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that scientists are looking into a gene called alpha-synuclein, which has been found in clumps and in higher concentrations in those with PD. Researchers are also studying additional genes including parkin, DJ-1, PINK1 and LRRK2. These genes are responsible for various functions in the body. The exact role of these genes in the development of Parkinson's disease is not well understood. Current theories suggest that having mutations in these particular genes may make you more susceptible to developing Parkinson's disease. The hope with genetic testing is to identify someone who is at high risk, so that treatment can begin even before symptoms appear.
Exposure to Toxins
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, being exposed to hazardous chemicals at work or in your environment may also play a role in increasing your risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Being around pesticides, herbicides, solvents, iron, copper, zinc and manganese may cause nerve damage and inhibit dopamine production. In addition, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that people who drank well water and lived near industrial plants, printing facilities and quarries had a higher chance of getting this disease. The more that is learned about the environmental link, the more steps you can take to minimize your risk.
References
- Parkinson's Disease Information: Parkinson's Risk Factors
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Parkinson's Disease: Hope Through Research
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Environmental Risk Factors for Parkinson's Disease
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: The Role of the Environment in Parkinson's Disease
