Key Risk Factors for Parkinson's Disease

What Increases Parkinson’s Risk? Key Factors Explained

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder where patients experience tremors, rigidity, and slowed movement. It primarily affects the central nervous system and occurs due to the loss of nerve cells responsible for producing dopamine, which is essential for smooth and coordinated body movements.

Key Risk Factors of Parkinson's Disease

Genetic and environmental factors play a crucial role in causing this disease. Here is a list of factors that are responsible for the same:

1. Age

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease are often visible in old age, i.e. by the age of 60 or above. This is due to the natural decline of brain cells with ageing. However, in some individuals, symptoms may appear earlier, which is known as early-onset Parkinson’s disease. While ageing remains a major risk factor, genetics and environmental triggers can also contribute to the early development of the condition.

2. Sex

Men are approximately 1.5 times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than women. This increased risk may be linked to hormonal differences, such as lower oestrogen levels, and structural variations in the brain that affect dopamine production, which plays a crucial role in controlling movement.    

3. Genetics of Family

About 10% to 15% of cases of Parkinson's are due to genetic factors, as per the Parkinson's Foundation. Certain genes are responsible for carrying a risk of developing Parkinson's. However, they do not seem to showcase any probable symptoms. One such gene is GBA, which encodes the enzyme glucocerebrosidase, and mutations in this gene increase Parkinson’s risk.     

4. Environmental Triggers

Another trigger is the toxins in the environment that expose individuals to developing Parkinson's. Exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides (like paraquat) and industrial solvents, has been associated with a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.   

5. Head Trauma

TBI (also traumatic brain injury) is one of the reasons for developing Parkinson's disease. There are multiple similarities between the brain graph of a brain having TBI and one having Parkinson’s, such as metabolism, inflammation, and protein aggregation.  

6. Medication

There are certain medications under which symptoms of Parkinson’s develop, drug-induced Parkinson’s. However, these symptoms are usually reversible and tend to resolve after discontinuing the medication. Here is a list of such drugs that can induce Parkinson's:

• Fluphenazine, Pimozide, and Haloperidol (Anti-nausea medications)
• Droperidol, Chlorpromazine, and Promethazine (Antipsychotics)
• Tetrabenazine, Valbenazine, and Deutetrabenazine (Prescription drugs that treat hyperkinetic movement disorder)

7. Smoking

As per a 2017 study, the risk of Parkinson's is low in people who have exposure to nicotine. However, this is not to be perceived as a benefit of smoking because other health issues that smoking causes can outweigh any advantage.

Prevention of Parkinson's Disease

The knowledge of such factors that cause Parkinson's helps in early diagnosis because there is still research going on to identify accurate reasons that cause this disease. Here are certain precautions that one can take to keep this disease at bay:

• Being physically active through exercise, yoga, Zumba and so on.
• Some studies find that low to moderate alcohol intake may slightly lower Parkinson’s risk, but researchers report mixed results. Experts discourage heavy drinking as it worsens symptoms and affects medications.
• Avoid staying in areas that have high exposure to toxic environmental factors.
• Having coffee or tea that contains caffeine helps in reducing the chances of developing Parkinson's.
• Some studies suggest that anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen may reduce Parkinson’s risk, but more research is needed to confirm this link.

Early Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Some of the early signs of this disease that are noticeable immediately are mostly movement-related symptoms:

• Slower Movements: Slowed movements (bradykinesia) are among the most common early signs of Parkinson’s disease. People may feel muscle weakness, although actual muscle strength remains intact — the problem lies in controlling movement.
• Tremors: In this symptom, muscles tend to shake rhythmically even when not in use. In about 80% of Parkinson's cases, patients tend to experience tremors.
• Having an unstable posture: Postural instability may develop, causing shortened steps, reduced arm swing while walking, and a tendency to shuffle.

It is a chronic disorder, the definitive cause of which is still a matter of further investigation by researchers. Early signs of Parkinson's are key, and consultation with an expert is crucial. While a healthy lifestyle may help reduce the risk or delay the onset of symptoms, there is currently no known way to completely prevent Parkinson’s disease.

Also Read:

→ Common Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

→ What are the Risk Factors for Heart Disease

→ General Risk Factors Associated with Cancer

→ What are the Risk Factors of Diabetes

→ Key Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease