Risk Factors for Parkinson’s Disease

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.

It is possible to develop ]]>Parkinson’s disease]]> with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.

Risk factors include:

Age

Most people develop Parkinson’s disease after the age of 60 (age of onset ranges from 35-85). It is relatively unusual to develop Parkinson’s disease before the age of 40, although it is certainly possible.

Gender

Men are about 1.5 times more likely than women to develop Parkinson’s disease.

Genetic Factors

More than half a dozen genes have been associated with Parkinson's disease. People with these abnormal genes tend to develop Parkinson's disease at a younger age, typically before the age of 50. This type of Parkinson's tends to run in families. However, the vast majority of Parkinson's disease occurs in older individuals (over the age of 60), and the role of genetics in these individuals is less clear.

Ethnic Background

Research suggests that blacks and Asians have a slightly lower rate of Parkinson’s disease than whites.

Environmental Factors

Exposure to chemicals, such as herbicides and pesticides, is thought to increase your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. You also have a greater risk of Parkinson’s disease if you live in a rural area, drink well water, or live on a farm (perhaps due to an increased exposure to herbicides and pesticides).

References:

Alves G, Forsaa EB, Pedersen KF, et al. Epidemiology of Parkinson’s disease. J Neurology. 2008;255(suppl 5):18-32.

American Association of Neurological Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.aans.org/.

Conn HF, Rakel RE. Conn’s Current Therapy 2002. 54th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2002.

Kasper DL, Harrison TR. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 16th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2005.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/ .

Parkinson’s Disease Foundation website. Available at: http://www.pdf.org .

Rowland LP, Merritt HH. Merritt's Neurology. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000.

Last reviewed February 2009 by ]]> Rimas Lukas, MD]]>

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.