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ParkinsonÃs Risk Factors Vary Among Ethnic Groups
St. Paul, MN (January 22, 1998) Ethnic and cultural origin appear to play a key role in who will develop ParkinsonÃs disease (PD) and why, according to a study published in the January issue of Neurology, the American Academy of NeurologyÃs scientific journal.
The study looked at the environmental risk factors for PD among a multi-ethnic urban community that included whites, African-Americans and Hispanics. Among the findings was that that African-Americans who had lived in rural areas (farms in the area) and drank well water for the longest period of their lives had an increased risk for PD, while Hispanics who had lived in rural areas had a decreased risk of PD. Gardening resulted in an increased PD risk in whites and Hispanics, but not African-Americans.
Study co-author Karen Marder, MD, MPH, a neurologist at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Sergievsky Center, New York, NY, explains, ìBoth genetic and environmental risk factors have been implicated in the etiology of ParkinsonÃs disease. It is possible that different ethnic groups have genetic factors that make them more or less vulnerable to environmental factors.î
In earlier research, PD has been associated with rural living, exposure to pesticides and herbicides, and well water in highly industrialized countries like the United States. The study found these same risk factors were also associated with PD in African-Americans. In developing countries, urban rather than rural living may be a risk factor as seen in the Hispanic patients.
ParkinsonÃs disease is a slowly progressive, neurodegenerative disease caused when a small group of brain cells die that control body movement. Symptoms generally include tremor in arms and legs, stiff and rigid muscles, slowness of movements and impaired balance.
Marder continues, ìThis is the first study to examine environmental risk factors in a multi-ethnic community. In future studies, analysis should include classification by ethnic group to see whether the same risk factors have different effects.î
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