A recent investigation has established a substantial 56 percent escalation in the hazard of Parkinson’s disease in individuals situated in locales with intermediate air contamination levels. The research highlights geographic disparities in this increased risk, pinpointing the Mississippi-Ohio River Valley as an area of particular concern. Through innovative geospatial analysis, the study corroborates a significant correlation between Parkinson’s disease incidence and exposure to minute air pollution particles, advocating for more rigorous air purity regulations to lessen this threat.
The Barrow Neurological Institute’s team carried out a study which points out that living in places with moderate levels of air pollution correlates with a heightened 56% risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, in comparison with areas with minimal pollution levels.
Recently featured in Neurology—the American Academy of Neurology’s official medical journal—the study aimed to discern the spatial distribution of Parkinson’s disease across the nation and investigate the correlation between Parkinson’s prevalence and the exposure to fine airborne particulate matter.
Brittany Krzyzanowski, PhD, a lead researcher at the Barrow Neurological Institute, remarked that previous inquiries have linked fine particulate matter with brain inflammation, a potential path for Parkinson’s disease onset. “Employing advanced geospatial analytical methodologies, we’ve confirmed a significant nationwide link between fine particulate matter and new cases of Parkinson’s disease across the U.S. for the first time,” Krzyzanowski states.
Geographical Variation in Parkinson’s Disease Susceptibility
The study also discovered geographical inconsistencies in the air pollution-Parkinson’s disease connection, with its intensity varying by region. Designated as critical zones for Parkinson’s disease were the Mississippi-Ohio River Valley, central North Dakota, certain areas in Texas, Kansas, eastern Michigan, and the extremity of Florida. Conversely, the risk for Parkinson’s disease in the western part of the U.S. is comparatively lower than in other regions of the country.
Krzyzanowski notes that the regional variation in Parkinson’s disease could mirror differences in particulate matter content across regions, with some comprising more harmful substances. She points out the high concentration of road networks and the industrialized ‘rust belt’ region within the Mississippi-Ohio River Valley, suggesting that pollution in these areas may be richer in toxic combustion byproducts and heavy metals, which have been associated with neuronal degeneration in the brain region implicated in Parkinson’s.
Study Approach and Consequences
Utilizing a population-based geographical methodology, the study analyzed data of roughly 90,000 Parkinson’s patients within a Medicare dataset encompassing almost 22 million individuals. Patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s were pinpointed to their residential neighborhoods, which enabled the calculation of Parkinson’s prevalence rates by region. Additionally, researchers determined the mean annual levels of fine particulate matter in these areas. After controlling for confounding risk factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, smoking history, and healthcare access, the Barrow team identified a link between prior fine particulate exposure and an increased risk of Parkinson’s development.
Krzyzanowski asserts that geographical population-based studies can uncover vital insights into the impact of environmental toxins on the genesis and progression of Parkinson’s and could be applied to other neurological conditions.
The researchers envision this unique study’s findings to reinforce the enforcement of stringent air pollution regulations, ultimately reducing the Parkinson’s risk and curtailing related health issues.
Krzyzanowski emphasizes that although considerable research has been devoted to identifying environmental risk factors for Parkinson’s, with a focus primarily on pesticides, the current study redirects attention towards air pollution as a significant environmental factor contributing to the disease’s development.
Citation: Krzyzanowski et al., 2023, Neurology. DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000207871
The Barrow Institute’s research was facilitated by funding from the U.S. Department of Defense, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Air Pollution Parkinson’s Risk
What does the recent study on air pollution and Parkinson’s disease indicate?
The study by Barrow Neurological Institute indicates a 56% increased risk of Parkinson’s disease for individuals living in areas with median levels of air pollution. It highlights the need for stricter air quality control and further research into the impact of environmental toxins on neurological diseases.
How does regional variation affect the risk of Parkinson’s disease?
The risk of Parkinson’s disease varies by region, with areas like the Mississippi-Ohio River Valley showing higher susceptibility. This variation may be due to differences in the composition and toxicity of particulate matter in different areas.
What methodology did the Barrow Neurological Institute use in their study?
The study used geospatial analysis and population-based geographic methodology, analyzing nearly 90,000 Parkinson’s cases from a Medicare dataset of 22 million people to determine the correlation between air pollution and Parkinson’s disease risk.
What are the implications of this Parkinson’s disease study?
The implications include potential enforcement of stricter air pollution policies to lower risks and the expansion of environmental risk factors consideration in Parkinson’s research, which previously focused more on pesticides.
Who supported the Barrow Neurological Institute’s Parkinson’s study?
The study was supported by the U.S. Department of Defense, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
More about Air Pollution Parkinson’s Risk
- Barrow Neurological Institute
- Neurology Journal
- American Academy of Neurology
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
