Ag pesticides, genetic variants linked to Parkinson’s risk

A study funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) indicates that exposure to organophosphate pesticides increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in study participants exhibiting a common gene variant. Two copies of an identified gene variant in an exposed individual appeared to elevate the risk of Parkinson’s disease two-fold compared to unexposed participants not carrying the variant.

The study identifies impacts of two specific organophosphate pesticides. Diazinon exposure exhibits a 2.2 increase of risk in carriers of variant MM PONI1-55 genotype while chlorpyrifos exposure poses a 2.6 increase of risk in carriers. In earlier-onset cases aged 60 years or younger, risk was more extreme at a 5.3 increase after chlorpyrifos exposure.

The study also states that the body’s defense system impacts the effect exposure has on Parkinson’s disease occurrence. Co-author of the study Beate Ritz , M.D. , Ph.D., states, “Our research suggests that the impact of organophosphate exposure depends on the activity of a detoxifying enzyme produced by the body.”

Full story: Beyond Pesticides