result of genetic factors interacting with the toxic effects of pesticides. The study, published in the journal Neurology, provides evidence for this hypothesis.
Researchers analyzed data from 360 people with Parkinson’s disease and 816 people without the disease, all of whom had been exposed to pesticides. They found that certain genetic variants were associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease in individuals with high pesticide exposure, providing insight into the potential role of genetics in the development of the disease.
The study’s findings may have implications for identifying individuals who are at a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease due to pesticide exposure, and for developing preventative strategies to reduce this risk.
The study, recently published in the journal NPJ Parkinson’s Disease, utilized genetic information from approximately 800 individuals in the Central Valley of California who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Many of these individuals had been exposed to 10 different pesticides used on cotton crops for a minimum of ten years before developing the disease, and some had been exposed as far back as 1974. The researchers analyzed their genetic composition for uncommon variations in genes linked to the operation of lysosomes, which are cellular compartments responsible for breaking down waste and debris. It is believed that these variations may be connected to the development of Parkinson’s disease, and that this connection may be influenced by a combination of both environmental and genetic factors.The study focused on identifying genetic variants associated with Parkinson’s disease and their potential relationship to pesticide exposure. The researchers compared the variants in patients with high pesticide exposure to those in a general population sample. They discovered that the patients with more severe Parkinson’s disease and increased pesticide exposure had an enrichment of variants in specific genes. These genetic variants were also found to affect protein function, indicating a potential link between disruption of lysosomal activity, Parkinson’s disease, and pesticide exposure. Dr. Brent Fogel, the study’s corresponding author and professor of Neurology and Human Genetics, emphasized the significance of these findings.further evidence of its connection to Parkinson’s disease. This buildup of alpha synuclein interferes with normal brain function and eventually leads to the symptoms of Parkinson’s. The study also found that the pesticides affected other cellular processes involved in the development of Parkinson’s disease, including oxidative stress and inflammation. These findings provide important insights into the potential mechanisms by which pesticides may contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, these results underscore the importance of identifying genetic susceptibilities to pesticide exposure in order to better protect vulnerable individuals from the harmful effects of these chemicals.The hallmark of Parkinson’s disease is a pathological condition. The study suggests that genetic predisposition may result from minor changes in genes that are linked to lysosomal function. According to Fogel, these genetic variants may not have much impact on a daily basis, but under certain stressors, such as exposure to specific pesticides, they can fail and potentially contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease over time. This is known as a gene-environment interaction. The research findings are based on the extensive work conducted by UCLA Health researchers Drs. Jeff Bronstein and Beate Ritz over several decades.The connection between exposure to pesticides and the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in the Central Valley is being studied. Dr. Kimberly Paul, co-lead author of the study and assistant professor of Neurology at UCLA, stated that Parkinson’s disease is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disease globally. While the increase in new patients is expected due to the large aging population in the U.S., the rate of new Parkinson’s disease patients is surpassing what is anticipated from aging alone, according to Paul.
The results of the new study prompt the question of whether there are other genetic variations that could be impacting the susceptibility to the disease. The article may purport on Parkinson’s disease in the population, including the effect of different types of pesticides on various biological pathways.
Paul stated, “These patients were somehow susceptible, and if we can determine the reason for their susceptibility, maybe we can take action on those pathways.”
Fogel added, “There is data for many common disorders suggesting that environmental factors influence the development of these diseases, but there is no good way to measure that impact or determine who specifically is at risk. This is a step forward in that direction.
