Scientists at the Barrow Neurological Institute and Mayo Clinic have published findings from a new study indicating that exposure to long-term air pollution may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative neurological disorder. The scientists also found that such air pollutants – especially fine particulate matter, or PM2.5 – may actually lead to the development and progression of the disease.
The research published in *JAMA Network Open* demonstrates air pollution, particularly PM2.5 and NO2 by fuel combustion from vehicles and other sources, penetrates the brain, causes inflammation, and oxidative stress. These can both help the nerve cells’ increased rate of disintegration in the causes of Parkinson’s disease.
Altogether, the results of the current study reveal that heightened exposure to a greater level of PM2.5 relates to a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s, as patients residing in highly polluted metropolitan areas were at 23% greater risk than those dwelling in less polluted areas. The study also concluded that the Parkinson’s patients who were diagnosed with the more severe symptoms were experiencing dyskinesia and akinetic rigidity were exposed to the higher level of PM2.5 exposure.
“Reducing air pollution may prevent the development of Parkinson’s and at the same time enable Parkinson patients to live better lives,” said Dr. Rodolfo Savica, a neurologist at Mayo Clinic and senior author on the study.
The study monitored nearly 5,200 subjects of which 350 were Parkinson’s patients for two decades. It did not establish cause and effect. The researchers, however discovered that limiting exposure to air pollution can significantly reduce the risk associated with Parkinson’s.
Previous studies did not determine any association between increased mortality chance of higher PM2.5 exposure in Parkinson’s patients. However, studies throughout Europe have earlier established that long exposures to air pollution are part and parcel of Parkinson’s related deaths.
The researchers claim to probe further into the function of other atmospheric pollutants and the interaction of genetics and the environment upon the disease of Parkinson‘s.
