Parkinson’s disease prevalence is projected to surge in the upcoming decades. North America is expected to see a 30% rise in cases by 2050. Globally, the amount of people diagnosed with this progressive neurodegenerative disorder is expected to double, affecting an estimated 25 million people. The rates of dementia are projected to go down. As these developments continue, Parkinson’s disease is set to become the most prevalent neurological disorder, fueling critical conversations on its etiology, risk factors, and novel treatments.
Parkinson’s disease, which results from a complex interaction of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, has no cure at this time. Scientists are hard at work trying to better understand what causes this mysterious ailment. Yet, despite its elusive nature for researchers, it is highly susceptible to manipulation by an array of forces. Importantly, exposure to certain environmental toxins has been associated with a greater likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease. Your risk goes up if you live near croplands that use certain herbicides. Likewise, exposure to chemicals typically used by dry cleaners further increases this risk.
Now, a new study published in The BMJ adds to the evidence linking air pollution to increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The researchers determined average yearly nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter exposures. These harmful pollutants are some of the most powerful drivers of increased risk for developing this debilitating condition.
Alfonso Fasano, a neurologist specializing in movement disorders, said such environmental factors are difficult to nail down.
“It means all the things that someone has been exposed to, or a lot of protective factors that one has been exposed to throughout their life, and it’s extremely difficult to study,” – Alfonso Fasano.
Despite the challenges in determining exact causes, experts agree that awareness of potential risk factors can empower individuals to take preventative measures. Brittany Krzyzanowski reminds us that simple daily choices can go a long way to lower exposure to harmful toxins.
“There are many small steps a person can take to reduce their exposure to toxins. The primary things would be to buy organic produce, use a carbon filter for your drinking water, and consider using an indoor air purifier,” – Brittany Krzyzanowski.
As discussion about Parkinson’s disease increases, the hope for better understanding leading to more accurate diagnostic tools and therapies will only continue to multiply. One of the most exciting advancements is adaptive deep brain stimulation (DBS), which has just been rolled out for dozens of patients at University of Colorado. One of such technologies is an electrode identifier now patented by the program’s researchers, John Thompson and Drew Kern. People have likened it to a pacemaker for the brain. Deep brain stimulation has been employed since 1997 as a treatment option for Parkinson’s patients, enhancing quality of life through targeted electrical pulses that alleviate symptoms.
As an example, Fasano reports that researchers are discovering notable successes in finding early signs of PD. For this breakthrough, they’re using an experimental test called RT-QuIC. This simple test, usually performed on saliva or urine, detects the presence of a protein called synuclein that can indicate neurodegeneration is on the way.
“Some people might have signs that tell us that their brain is cooking Parkinson’s disease, even if they don’t have Parkinson’s disease,” – Alfonso Fasano.
The projected doubling of people living with Parkinson’s in the coming decades makes taking action and investing in research more critical than ever. Xuemei Huang, a lead researcher in the field, underscored how treatment developments have dramatically shifted patient outcomes over the years.
“Once upon a time, in the 1950s, before we even knew about the role of dopamine in the brain and before we knew much about Parkinson’s disease, the average life expectancy of Parkinson’s patients was seven to eight years,” – Xuemei Huang.
Huang remarked that a majority of patients were sometimes in wheelchairs after five years from diagnosis during that time. As we all know, discovery and innovation are never static, and today both treatment standards and patient quality of life have leaped ahead.
Even in the face of these challenges, specialists are quick to emphasize that people with Parkinson’s disease need not be disheartened by the numbers. Huang offered a reassuring perspective:
“People shouldn’t be scared. This is not terrible news,” – Xuemei Huang.
Fasano encouraged individuals to understand the implications of their lifestyle choices on their health:
“For North America, it is now known that a certain lifestyle is protective, particularly exercising, low body mass index, a lot of aerobic exercise, and lack of diabetes,” – Alfonso Fasano.
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