Episode 122: Environmental Factors and Parkinson’s Disease
The cause of most cases of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is unknown. Researchers have found genes or genetic variants that are associated with risk for the development of PD, but genetic causes are thought to play a role in only a minority of cases. However, accumulating evidence from epidemiologic studies, laboratory basic research, and animal models indicates that exposure to environmental toxins can increase risk of the disease. These substances include pesticides, solvents, metals, and other environmental pollutants. In this episode, Samuel Goldman, MD, MPH, Professor of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, reviews what has been learned so far and explains some of the complexities of doing research on environmental causes of PD.
Released: February 8, 2022
Want more?
Don't forget to subscribe! There are many ways to listen: Apple Podcasts, Google Play, TuneIn (Amazon Echo), Spotify or RSS Feed. (Need help subscribing? See our quick guide.)
For all of our Substantial Matters podcast episodes, visit Parkinson.org/Podcast.
Related Materials
Related Blog Posts
Neuro Talk: What To Know About Parkinson’s Disease Statistics
