Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative condition associated with dopamine loss, continues to intrigue researchers about its exact cause. However, experts point to a combination of factors that increase the risk of disease development.
During participation in CNN Vital Signs Professor Egberto Reis Barbosa, head of the disturbance outpatient clinic of the University of São Paulo School of Medicine (FMUSP), clarifies that Parkinson usually results from the interaction between environmental, genetic factors and the natural aging process.
“Working in industries, contacting solvents, industrial pollution or crop with pesticide exposure are risk factors for the disease,” explains the expert about the risks of Parkinson in certain occupations.
The USP teacher explains that the disease curiously affects more men than women. According to Barbosa, this can be attributed the highest presence of men in risk occupations and also hormonal protection in relation to disease in women.
Challenges in early diagnosis
Despite the importance of early detection, there are still no specific exams to diagnose Parkinson before motor symptoms appear.
However, Barbosa mentions that certain signs may indicate an increased risk: “If eventually the individual has loss of smell, remaining sleep behavioral disorder or constipation, there is already a body of evidence to investigate elements that allow an early diagnosis.”
Promising research is underway, including tests with monoclonal antibodies to reduce alpha-synuclein clusters in the brain, a protein closely linked to Parkinson’s disease.
Although a recent study with these antibodies has not shown a significant difference between the placebo group and the treated group, the researchers remain optimistic. Barbosa states that the search for more effective and early treatments remains a priority in the scientific community.
This content was originally published in Dr. Kalil: Know what are Parkinson’s main risk factors on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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