Pesticides and Parkinson's disease

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Todd B. Sherer, Emory University; Ranjita Betarbet, Emory University; J. Timothy Greenamyre, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: Hindawi Publishing Corporation
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2001 Todd B. Sherer et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2001.35
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Scientific World Journal
• ISSN: 2356-6140
• Volume: 1
• Start Page: 207
• End Page: 208
• Keywords: Pesticides; Animals; Parkinson Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Humans
• Research Categories: Biology, Neuroscience

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD), a common neurodegenerative disorder affects approximately 1% of the population over 65. PD is a late-onset progressive motor disease characterized by tremor, rigidity (stiffness), and bradykinesia (slowness of movement). The hallmark of PD is the selective death of dopamine-containing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta which send their projections to the striatum and the presence of cytoplasmic aggregates called Lewy bodies. Most cases of PD are sporadic but rare cases are familial, with earlier onset. The underlying mechanisms and causes of PD still remain unclear.