Two Pesticides Linked to Parkinson’s Disease According to NIH StudyBy L.J. Rogue, Feb 17th, 2011The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released the findings of a study conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health (NIEH), a part of the NIH, in conjunction with the Parkinson’s Institute and Clinical Center which is located in Sunnyvale, California. Announced in the press release of February 11, 2011, the findings show a link between the use of the pesticides paraquat and rotenone and the occurrence of Parkinson’s disease.The study which implemented control data supplied by the Farming and Movement Evaluation (FAME), evaluated 110 people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The authors of the study were able to evaluate the relationship between the occurrence of Parkinson’s and the use of pesticides documented through FAME’s accumulated case-study information collected on 90,000 licensed pesticide users and their spouses.The lead author of the study, Dr. Caroline Tanner of the Parkinson’s Institute and Clinical Center states that the findings of this research will assist researchers and doctors in understanding the “biologic changes underlying Parkinson’s disease” which will bring the medical community closer to preventing its occurrence. There are no currently registered uses for rotenone or paraquat in residential or home gardening applications. The use of paraquat is limited to professional and certified pesticide applicators and rotenone is solely for the use of killing one particular invasive species of fish.The National Institute of Environmental Health is one of the 27 institutes of the NIH and is dedicated to researching the environmental factors effecting human health. The National Institutes of Health as a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is the U.S. federal agency responsible for spearheading the country’s research into the cures, causes and treatments for rare and common diseases.
via: Powersnetwork.com
Variations in a total of 11 genes were shown in this study to influence genetic susceptibility to Parkinson's - including 5 new genes that were confirmed as having a link to the condition.
"This is the largest and most comprehensive study to date of the role that common genetic factors play in Parkinson's.
"While these common genetic variations don’t directly cause Parkinson's, they do make people more likely to develop the condition.
