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Parkinson's Disease
See Also:
Parkinson's
Disease: Introduction
Parkinson's
Disease: Forms
Parkinson's
Disease: Causes & Risk Factors
Parkinson's
Disease: Signs & Symptoms
Parkinson's
Disease: Stages
Parkinson's
Disease: Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Parkinson's
Disease: Treatment
Causes & Risk Factors
Causes:
It is important to note that every human brain
loses some dopamine producing neurons as a part
of aging, but people suffering from PD lose about
80% or more of these neurons in the substantia
nigra portion of the brain.Dopamine is a
chemical that transmits signals between
substantia nigra and corpus striatum in the brain
(These signals help muscles in making smooth and
controlled movements). Degeneration of these
dopamine-producing neurons causes
Parkinson’s disease, but the exact cause of
degeneration of these dopamine-producing neurons
is not known.
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Research studies state that a combination of
genetic and environmental factors could lead to
degeneration of dopamine producing neurons (9).
Genetic Factors:
Several genes are linked to PD such as mutation of the
gene alpha-synuclein, triplication of the normal
alpha-synuclein gene on one copy of chromosome 4,
mutation of parkin, DJ-1, PINK1 and LRRK2. While mutation
of Parkin, DJ-1 and PINK-1 genes causes early-onset forms
of PD, in sporadic cases mutation of LRRK2 also causes
PD. However, the research studies are still being done to
understand as to how PD develops due to these mutations
(8).
Environmental Factors:
Exposure to toxins such as
1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, or MPTP
(found in synthetic heroin), herbicides and pesticides
could cause PD. No conclusive evidence is available to
state that a particular environmental factor causes PD
(8).
Medications:
Medications such as haloperidol (Haldol) and
chlorpromazine (Thorazine) - (prescribed to treat
psychiatric disorders), metoclopramide (Reglan,
Metoclopramide HCL) – (prescribed to treat nausea)
and valproate (Depakene) – (the epilepsy drug) when
taken for long periods or in excess dosages may cause
parkinsonian symptoms (9).
Risk Factors
Some of the risk factors identified are as follows:
- Age: Advancing age is one of the
risk factors. An individual is at higher risk of
getting Parkinson’s disease, as she/he grows
older.
- Sex: Males are at a greater risk
when compared to females.
- Family History: Close relatives
suffering from the disease could increase the
risk of developing PD in a person (Genetic
linkage).
- Estrogen Levels: A woman is at
risk of developing PD if she is not given hormone
replacement therapy in post menopause or if she
has undergone a hysterectomy.
- Effect pesticides/herbicides: Agriculturists/farmers
exposed to pesticides and herbicides containing
toxins are at increased risk of developing PD,
since some of the toxins inhibit dopamine
production.
- Traumatic Injury: A recent study
showed many patients who suffered trauma head,
neck, or upper cervical spine trauma are at risk
for developing Post-traumatic Parkinsonism also
called Post-traumatic Encephalopathy and also
“Punch-Drunk Syndrome:"(10).
See Also:
Parkinson's
Disease: Introduction
Parkinson's
Disease: Forms
Parkinson's
Disease: Causes & Risk Factors
Parkinson's
Disease: Signs & Symptoms
Parkinson's
Disease: Stages
Parkinson's
Disease: Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Parkinson's
Disease: Treatment
Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com
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