Parkinson's disease risk factors

Aims. In this review we present and discuss the main risk factors (RF) for Parkinson's disease (PD) reported by epidemiological and biochemical research. Methods. The most frequently mentioned RF are: 1. Age: PD is not a pathological condition that is restricted to the elderly, although most people who suffer from it are over 60 Years of age; 2. Sex: in most epidemiological studies there are no differences to be found in prevalence of PD according to sex; 3. Genetic: no gene has been identified as being responsible for idiopathic PD. Nevertheless, family antecedents of PD have. been identified as RF; 4. Craneoencephalic trauma: this factor can have a systematic bias, since patients seek an explanation for their illness and remember any head injury as its possible cause; 5. Neurotoxins: a great deal of research was focused on the relation between PD and direct or indirect exposition to compounds such as MPTP, used in pesticides; 6. Antioxidants: it is thought that if ingested in sufficiently high quantities, either as part of the diet or in the form of supplements, they might reduce the risk of PD or slow down its progress; 7. Smoking: several studies have shown a negative relation, while other studies found no significant relation. Conclusions. There are several RF for PD, although no single decisive triggering factor has been found to date. Future research must consider the hypothesis of a multifactor aetiology and take into account the interaction between genetic and environmental factors.