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    New research reveals that exposure to air pollution, especially in metropolitan areas, dramatically increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and leads to more severe disease progression, underscoring the urgent need for pollution control measures.


    New research reveals that exposure to air pollution, especially in metropolitan areas, dramatically increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and leads to more severe disease progression, underscoring the urgent need for pollution control measures.

    https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2823518

    Bytes Europe

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    1. Wagamaga on

      Study results
      Of the 450 incident cases of PD identified in Olmsted County, 9 patients (2.0%) were excluded due to missing address information, and 95 patients (21.1%) were excluded for missing PM2.5 exposure data. This resulted in 346 PD cases (76.9%) being included in the analysis, with a median age of 72 years.

      The cohort was predominantly male (62.4%) and comprised various racial groups, including White (95.4%) and small percentages of other racial backgrounds.

      Similarly, controls were selected and matched to the PD cases, with 4183 controls (69.6%) included for analysis after exclusions. Controls had a median age of 72 years, and a slightly lower proportion (61.2%) were male.

      The majority of PD patients resided in metropolitan cores (79.5%), compared to about a third of the controls (32.7%), prompting a sensitivity analysis focusing on metropolitan areas.

      The median PM2.5 exposure prior to the index date was higher for PD patients (10.07 μg/m3) compared to controls (9.44 μg/m3).

      There was a significant association between PM2.5 exposure and increased PD risk, with those in the highest quintile of exposure having a 14% increased risk compared to the lowest quintile.

      [https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240917/Air-pollution-drives-higher-Parkinsone28099s-risk-and-worsens-symptoms-in-affected-patients.aspx](https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240917/Air-pollution-drives-higher-Parkinsone28099s-risk-and-worsens-symptoms-in-affected-patients.aspx)

    2. LadyMoonlitGoddess on

      The study examined the link between air pollution, specifically PM2.5 and NO2 exposure, and Parkinson disease (PD) risk. It found that higher exposure to these pollutants was associated with an increased risk of PD and a higher likelihood of developing dyskinesia. Additionally, those with greater exposure to PM2.5 had a higher chance of developing the akinetic rigid subtype of PD. These findings suggest that reducing air pollution could lower PD risk and modify its progression.