Low Levels of Pesticide Exposure may Increase Risk of Parkinson's Disease

As previous studies have shown that certain pesticides may increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, a new study according to UCLA researchers shows that the level of pesticides involved may depend on the risk, particularly for those carrying specific gene variants. 

The study establishes a clear link between pesticides that inhibit the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzyme, which plays a role in detoxifying the substances of cells and metabolizing alcohol that could potentially increase the risk of the health issue within tissues of the brain. The study also shows that an increased risk of developing Parkinson's may develop from those exposed to different types of variants in the ALDH2 gene, which is two to five times greater than those who do not already possess the gene variant when individuals are exposed to these pesticides. 

"These results show that ALDH inhibition appears to be an important mechanism through which pesticides may contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease," said study author Jeff M. Bronstein, MD, PhD, of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology, via Science Recorder.  "Understanding this mechanism may reveal several potential targets for preventing the disease from occurring or reducing its progression."

Bronstein also discussed the number of pesticides that could generate harmful effects in seemingly low amounts.

"We were very surprised that so many pesticides inhibited ALDH and at quite low concentrations, concentrations that were way below what was needed for the pesticides to do their job," he added., via Science Codex."These pesticides are pretty ubiquitous, and can be found on our food supply and are used in parks and golf courses and in pest control inside buildings and homes. So this significantly broadens the number of people at risk."

For their research, study authors compared 360 patients with Parkinson's in three agricultural heavy Central California areas that did not have Parkinson's. They directly focused on analyses of individuals with exposures to pesticides at work and at home.

The study authors then developed a lab to test to help determine if the pesticides restrained ALDH. They found that those in the epidemiologic study with a genetic variant in the ALDH gene were at an increased risk for Parkinson's when exposed to pesticides. However, Bronstein notes that the variant alone did not likely increase the risk of the disease.

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Neurology.