Epidemiology of Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

The epidemiologic studies reviewed here have provided insights into the etiology of PD. Evidence increasingly suggests that, like many other chronic age-related diseases, PD is a multifactorial disorder, with both genes and environment contributing to risk. As the elderly population of the world grows, incidence and prevalence of PD will continue to increase, underscoring the importance of further delineating risk factors. The introduction of levodopa and other pharmacologic therapies over the last 2 decades has postponed disease morbidity and mortality, but morbidity and mortality still are increased markedly relative to unaffected individuals. The development of therapies that may slow disease progression makes early identification and treatment of PD particularly important. Investigations of early markers of PD, or markers of disease susceptibility, are critical areas for future research. These efforts all will be aided by careful collaboration between epidemiologists and laboratory scientists.

Activation of Transcription Factor MEF2D by Bis(3)-cognitin Protects Dopaminergic Neurons and Ameliorates Parkinsonian Motor Defects

“…3 It would be highly interesting to test B3C in other models of PD to validate its therapeutical potential fully.…”

“…Parkinson disease (PD) 2 is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer disease and characterized by motor and behavioral disturbances caused by the degenerative loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons located in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) (1)(2)(3). Although the molecular mechanisms for SNc DA neuronal loss are not fully understood, excess oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have emerged as two primary upstream causes triggering and exacerbating PD pathogenesis.…”

Pilot Study of Prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease in Australia

“…Some of the putative risk factors including history of exposure to pesticides or herbicides [7][8][9] during farming, history of smoking [9,10], family history [9,11], chemical exposure [12,13] at work or in surrounding environment have been previously investigated. Some of the results were positive but others were equivocal or negative.…”

GPER Agonist G1 Attenuates Neuroinflammation and Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in Parkinson Disease

“…Consequently, a decline in the release of striatal dopamine (DA) leads to motor manifestations of PD involving resting tremor, bradykinesia, postural instability, and rigidity. Whether there is a sex difference concerning the risk for PD is controversial [2,3,4], but the beneficial effect of estrogen has been well-described in both culture and animal models of PD [5,6,7]. Hormone therapy with estrogens in humans has often been associated with serious side effects, especially after long-term exposure such as for treating breast cancer and blood clots [5].…”