Risk Factors for Parkinson’s Disease

The main risk factor for Parkinson’s Disease is age. While there are an increasing number of cases that first manifest symptoms as early as the late twenties, most cases of Parkinson’s Disease are diagnosed after age 60. There are a number of other risk factors that may exacerbate the onset of Parkinson’s Disease in those who are susceptible.

Heredity

If someone in your family has Parkinson’s disease, you face an increased risk of developing the disease yourself. If two or more close relatives have Parkinson’s, your chances are two to five times greater than for someone who has no relatives who are affected by the disease. Your risk is still less than 5% though, which leads most researchers to believe that genetics may make one susceptible to damage to the substantia nigra, but it is not the cause of the disease itself.

Gender

Men are nearly twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s as women. Symptoms of Parkinson’s also seem to progress more rapidly in men than in women.

Ethnicity

Parkinson’s disease is rare in non-Caucasian populations, though it does occur. Those of European descent seem to be more susceptible to the damage that causes the acceleration of cell death associated with Parkinson’s.

Exposure to Pesticides and Herbicides

If you are exposed to pesticides and herbicides, you have an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. You also have an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s if you live in a rural area or on a farm, or drink well water.

Exposure to Manganese

Manganese is an essential element that our bodies need in trace amounts, but that becomes toxic in higher amounts. Studies suggest that even very low levels of exposure to manganese may trigger the onset of Parkinson’s symptoms in people who are genetically susceptible to it.

Reduced Estrogen Levels

Some studies suggest that reduced estrogen levels increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease in women. Women who have hysterectomies without accompanying hormone replacement therapy are at substantially higher risk of developing Parkinson’s than other women their age. Since hormone replacement therapy carries other risks, the decision to use HRT is an individual one that should be undertaken after serious discussion with your health provider.

Head Trauma

A recent study (Bower 2003) has found a strong correlation between head trauma and the development of Parkinson’s. Those who had had a head injury in the past were four times more likely to develop Parkinson’s than those who had no reported head injuries. If the head injury required hospitalization, that risk increased to eight times more likely, and those who’d suffered a serious head injury were eleven times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. While the study stopped short of suggesting that head trauma causes Parkinson’s disease, researchers did suggest that head injury might trigger the development of symptoms.