The onset of Parkinson’s is usually idiopathic, meaning it develops without a known cause. Yet it could be a result from a complex interplay between age, gender, genetics, environmental and other factors.
Environment:
Exposure to insecticides, heavy metals, solvents and pesticides have shown increased risk for developing PD. Consuming foods sprayed with pesticides also have shown connections with PD. Usage of Aluminum Vessels for cooking can be another risk factor. Air pollutants including ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and the airborne metals like copper, mercury and manganese have a small risk factor for developing PD.
Gastrointestinal system:
Currently ,research in Parkinson’s disease is finding connections between the brain and the gastrointestinal system. Hypotheses such as the origin of Parkinson’s starts from the gut even before it starts in the brain are being claimed. Alpha (∝)- synuclein is one type of protein found in Substansia Nigra of PD patients which is responsible for neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Substansia Nigra is a critical brain region for the production of dopamine and is responsible for movement control and cognitive executive functions. This ∝-synuclein is also found in the gut which causes oxidative stress, inflammation and weakening of the gut wall. Researchers reported that there is a connection between the gut and the brain termed as the “GUT-BRAIN AXIS”. If the gut lining is weak there is a possibility of leaky walls thus transferring these ∝- synuclein to the Substantia Nigra.
Genetics:
Mutation in the certain gene types named PARK7, PINK1, PRKN, LRRK2 and alpha-synuclein are found to be linked with Parkinson’s etiology.
Age:
Parkinson disease is more prevalent with 60 plus age group
Gender:
Males are more likely to get affected than females
