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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffThe cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown, but several factors appear to play a role, including:
- Your genes. Researchers have identified specific genetic mutations that can cause Parkinson's disease, but these are extremely uncommon, except in rare cases with many family members affected by Parkinson's disease. However, certain gene variations (polymorphisms) appear to increase the risk of Parkinson's disease, but with a relatively small risk of for each of these genetic markers.
- Environmental triggers. Exposure to certain toxins or environmental factors increase the risk of later Parkinson's disease, but the risk is relatively small.
In summary, there is much work to be done to identify the factors causing Parkinson's disease.
Many changes occur in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease, including:
- The presence of Lewy bodies. Clumps of specific substances within brain cells are microscopic markers of Parkinson's disease. These are called Lewy bodies, and researchers believe these Lewy bodies hold an important clue to the cause of Parkinson's disease.
- A-synuclein is found within Lewy bodies. Although many substances are found within Lewy bodies, scientists believe the most important of these is the natural and widespread protein called a-synuclein. It's found in all Lewy bodies in a clumped form that cells can't break down. This is currently an important focus among Parkinson's disease researchers.
References
- Parkinson's disease: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/detail_parkinsons_disease.htm. Accessed Feb. 13, 2012.
- Parkinson's disease. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec16/ch221/ch221g.html. Accessed Feb. 13, 2012.
- Chou KL. Clinical manifestations of Parkinson disease. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Feb. 20, 2012.
- Jankovic J. Etiology and pathogenesis of Parkinson disease. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Feb. 22, 2012.
- Chou KL. Diagnosis of Parkinson disease. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Feb. 13, 2012.
- Tarsy D. Pharmacological treatment of Parkinson disease. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Feb. 13, 2012.
- Tarsy D. Surgical treatment of Parkinson disease. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Feb. 20, 2012.
- Ahlskog JE. Does vigorous exercise have a neuroprotective effect in Parkinson disease? Neurology. 2011;77:288.
- Tarsy D. Nonpharmacologic management of Parkinson disease. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Feb. 24, 2012.
- Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-2/0/1494/0.html. Accessed Feb. 24, 2012.
- Parkinson's disease: Fitness counts. National Parkinson Foundation. http://www.parkinson.org/Search-Pages/Search.aspx?pKeywords=fitness. Accessed Feb. 24, 2012.
- Parkinson's disease. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed April 1, 2010.
- Complementary therapies and Parkinson's disease. National Parkinson Foundation. http://www.parkinson.org/Search-Pages/Search.aspx?pKeywords=complementary%20therapy. Accessed Feb. 24, 2012.
- Ahlskog, JE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 1, 2012.
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