PARKINSON'S DISEASE NEWS

21st August 2010 - New review

LEAD AS A CAUSE OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Prolonged exposure to lead can double the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s Disease [Complete abstract]. Common means of exposure are : lead contaminated soil, ingestion of lead dust or chips from deteriorating lead-based paints. Air pollution from the processing of lead, food grown in contaminated soil, drinking water from plumbing and fixtures that are either made of lead or have trace amounts of lead in them. Lead can be found in cosmetics in some countries, some herbal remedies, and even in toys. For more information go to Lead Poisoning.

Means of toxicity : Due to the similarity of their structures, lead can inadvertently replace iron in enzyme reactions, but lead does not properly function as a cofactor. This might cause a reduction in L-dopa because iron is an essential cofactor for L-dopa formation. Most lead poisoning symptoms are thought to occur by interfering with the enzyme Delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), which is required for the formation of hemoglobin, as is ferrochelatase, which is also interfered with lead. Hemoglobin transports oxygen, which is required for the formation of L-dopa. So lead may also cause Parkinson's Disease symptoms by interfering with the availability of oxygen to the brain. However, the precise means by which it causes Parkinson's Disease has still not been proven.

Symptoms : Serious and chronic exposure to lead can more than double the likelihood of developing Parkinson's Disease, making it 2.27 times more likely. Milder exposure to lead did not increase the likelihood of Parkinson's Disease [Complete abstract].  For more current news go to Parkinson's Disease News.

E-MAIL NOTIFICATION : If you would like to be notified by e-mail when any new research, news reports, new books, or new resources are added to Parkinson's Disease News,  please merely e-mail [email protected] with the message "subscribe".  No form of identity is required.  E-mail addresses are not used for any other purpose.

Parkinson's Disease News details all significant new research, news reports, new books, and new resources concerning Parkinson's Disease and those medical disorders that often coincide with Parkinson's Disease. It is compiled from an analysis of  all newly published research, news reports, new clinical trials, all newly published books, and new web sites. A summary and analysis of the new research are provided,  as well as links to the complete abstracts and news reports