Meta-Analysis: Bug and Weed Killers, Solvents May Increase Risk of Parkinson’s Disease

 
MINNEAPOLIS - May 29, 2013 - PRLog -- MINNEAPOLIS – A large analysis of more than 100 studies from around the world shows that exposure to pesticides, or bug and weed killers, and solvents is likely associated with a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The research appears in the May 28, 2013, print issue of Neurology®, (http://neurology.org/lookup/doi/10.1212/WNL.0b013e318294b3c8) the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology (http://www.aan.com/).    

“Due to this association, there was also a link between farming or country living and developing Parkinson’s in some of the studies,” said study author Emanuele Cereda, MD, PhD, with the IRCCS University Hospital San Matteo Foundation in Pavia, Italy. The research was also conducted by Gianni Pezzoli, MD, with the Parkinson Institute – ICP, Milan. For the analysis, researchers reviewed 104 studies that looked at exposure to weed, fungus, rodent or bug killers, and solvents and the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Studies that evaluated the proximity of exposure, such as country living, work occupation and well water drinking were also included.

The research found that exposure to bug or weed killers and solvents increased the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by 33 to 80 percent. In controlled studies, exposure to the weed killer paraquat or the fungicides maneb and mancozeb was associated with two times the risk of developing the disease.
“We didn’t study whether the type of exposure, such as whether the compound was inhaled or absorbed through the skin and the method of application, such as spraying or mixing, affected Parkinson’s risk,” said Cereda. “However, our study suggests that the risk increases in a dose response manner as the length of exposure to these chemicals increases.”

The study was supported by the Grigioni Foundation for Parkinson's Disease and the IRCCS University Hospital San Matteo Foundation.

To learn more about Parkinson’s disease, please visit http://patients.aan.com

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 26,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com or find us on Facebook (http://http//www.facebook.com/pages/American-Academy-of-N...), Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/AANPublic), Google+ (https://plus.google.com/u/0/up/start/?continue=https://plus.google.com/u/0/stream?tab%3DG&type=st&gpcaz=df2010e#101103447235831293532/posts) and YouTube (http://www.aan.com/channel).
End
Source: » Follow
Email:***@aan.com Email Verified
Tags:Aan, Neurology, Parkinsons
Industry:Health, Science
Location:Minneapolis - Minnesota - United States
Account Email Address Verified     Account Phone Number Verified     Disclaimer     Report Abuse
American Academy of Neurology News
Trending
Most Viewed
Daily News



Like PRLog?
9K2K1K
Click to Share